USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Conway > Celebration of the hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of Conway, Massachusetts : at Conway, June 19th, 1867 : including a historical address by Rev. Charles B. Rice poem by Harvey Rice oration by William Howland and the other exercises of the occasion > Part 10
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Mr. Root then paid an appropriate tribute of commendation to the former and present pastors of the Congregational church still living, saying that he did not speak of the pastors of the Baptist church on account of his limited acquaintance with them. He then spoke of the Sabbath School here, of which he was a mem-
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ber, and of Capt. H. Billings, his teacher. "One Sabbath," said he, " Capt. B. seemed more than usually earnest. After exhort- ing us all in his own impassioned way, he turned to me and said you must be a christian. Your great grandfather prayed for you on his death-bed. I was there and heard him pray for his chil- dren and all his descendants. You must be a christian. The early settlers of this town were men of faith and prayer, and all now on the stage are enjoying the rich benefits of their labors and their prayers. With such an ancestry, and such advantages, we ought to do much for the honor of God and the good of man. Let us pay to the future the debt we owe the past.
HON. CALEB RICE remarked as follows, viz. :
Ladies and Gentlemen :
Although a native of Conway, I have been absent so many years that most of this assembly are strangers to me. It will not be supposed, therefore, that I am acquainted with your pres- ent condition, or can relate any facts which have transpired within the last fifty years, that would now interest you. I can distinctly remember all the first settlers of that part of this town long known by the name of Broomshire. Israel Rice, my grandfather, and William Warren were the two men with their wives, who first settled northerly of South River in Broomshire. That settle- ment was in 1763 or 1764. I have heard my grandfather say there were but 33 settlers before him in town. I well remember Timothy Thwing, father of Mr. Thwing, now living and said to be the oldest man in town, and also many others of that genera- tion. I well remember another individual who had been some- what of a public man, at least he had kept a public house, who was one of eight persons (so says tradition), who were the orig- inal proprietors of Deerfield Southwest, that being the name by which Conway was known previous to the act of incorporation. He had the reputation of being a lazy, shiftless, good-natured, easy man, whose property wasted away for want of proper care, and he died a pauper.
The celebration of Independence on the 4th of July, 1804, was an occasion which called out the inhabitants second only to this day. It was a celebration of both political parties in one house at the same time. The parties were then known as Federal and Republican, the terms, Democrat and Democratic not having then become the watchwords of party as they have since. It was agreed to go into the old meeting house, which then stood in that well-known and long-to-be-remembered spot, Pumpkin Hol- low. What was said by the respective orators could be heard by all present ; but when they left the house to eat and drink, as was the fashion of that time, they separated, so that cach party should eat and drink his own political food and beverage. The Orator of the Federal party was Rev. Samuel Taggart, a
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Congregational clergyman of Coleraine, and then member of Con- gress from the old County of Hampshire. The Orator of the Republican party was Elder Josiah Goddard, a Baptist clergyman of Conway. My father was one of the Marshals on that occasion, and wore a pair of black striped satin pantaloons (a little extrav- agant, I think). About eight years afterwards I had made from the remains of the pantaloons a vest, which I have kept until the present time, and which I have on to-day in good condition for the next centennial one hundred years hence.
It may not be improper to allude to one of Conway's distin- guished sons, Chester Harding, who is now no more, except in memory, whose career through life is worthy of imitation. He was born in 1792, in the southeast part of Conway, near Whately. The spot where his father's house stood is probably unknown. It was even lost from his memory, as he informed me. Born in obscurity and indigence, he became by his industry and persever- ance, an artist of no ordinary reputation, as the portraits of many of the public men in this country and in England fully demon- strate.
The exercises were interspersed with several pieces of instru- mental music, well selected and well performed by the Shelburne Falls Cornet Band, and the Greenfield Drum Corps, which added much to the interest of the occasion.
The exercises at the grove being now completed, the proces- sion re-formed and marched to the tent in which dinner was pro- vided. On the way, and also while at the table photographic pictures of the procession and the scenes presented were taken.
A tent sufficiently large to accommodate one thousand persons had been erected on a level piece of ground, belonging to Capt. Charles Parsons, near the Central Village. At the entrance of the tent was the motto, " Our prescription for physical debil- ity." Over it, at several points, waved the National Flag. On entering, there was seen over the speakers stand the motto, "We cherish the memory of our fallen Patriots," and on the opposite side, "We honor our living Heroes." The Dinner was provided by Amos Stetson, of the Conway House, tickets of admission, being one dollareach. One thousand tickets had been provided, but these were found insufficient to supply the demand. The Divine blessing was implored by Rev. Thomas Shepard, D. D. of Bristol, R. I., formerly pastor of the Congregational church in Ashfield. The Dinner was got up in fine style, abundant in quantity and excellent in quality. The ticket-holders did ample justice to it, and yet the quantity left was almost as great as that which was consumed. The skill and good taste exhibited by Mr. and Mrs. Stetson in making the arrangements for dinner deserve much praise.
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The literary part of the entertainment was commenced by the President of the Day, announcing as the first sentiment,
" The Day we Celebrate."
This was responded to by the reading of the following lines by R. A. COFFIN :
Hail to the day that now heralds the ending Of Conway's first century of fast flowing years, Gladness and tenderness gracefully blending While we commingle our smiles and our tears.
Here now we stand at the opening portal, Of a century to come, and take one more glance
Back to the century now made immortal, Then welcome the years that are now to advance.
Lo, as we look, see the swift generations Coming in rapid succession to tread
Here in our footsteps, and filling our places, When we are gone to the realm of the dead.
Welcome are ye to this land of our fathers, To all its bright skics, and enrapturing scenes ;
Welcome to treasures that memory gathers, And lessons of wisdom that history gleans.
Welcome to all the enjoyments that cluster, Where Sabbaths in beauty smile over the land,
To hopes all immortal, that glow with fresh lustre When earth is receding, and death is at hand.
Hark, to the rush of the iron horse tramping O'er the wild mountains, far, far in the west ; Cities spring up, where but lately encamping, The Indian lay down on his bearskin to rest.
Who shall declare what the far future ages Shall bring to our land in the strength of her might ! Who shall proclaim what the unwritten pages Yet may record in their letters of light ?
Come then, ye millions who are to succeed us, Spread o'er the land, and its treasures explore; God, who so graciously offers to lead us, Guide you and bless you, till time is no more.
Mrs. Mary B. Crittenden, a lady who was born Aug. 24th, 1767, and who, therefore, on the day of the celebration, lacked but 66 days of being 100 years old, was then introduced to the audience. Mrs. Crittenden was married at the age of 18 to
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Medad Crittenden and lived with him as his wife 72 years. Mr. Crittenden died about 10 years ago. Five generations of the family are now living. A photograph has recently been taken presenting them at one view.
Our Centenary and our Centenarian. The seed sown, the plant raised, and the flower that bloomed are this day in their full fragrance, preserved, to be gathered by the Great Reaper. We rise to do her honor.
The audience then rose and sung Old Hundred.
The Religious Institutions of Conway. Planted with the planting of the town. The first pastor was literally a forerunner,-John preaching in the wilderness.
Responded to by Rev. Elijah Cutler as follows :
REV. ELIJAH CUTLER'S REMARKS.
Our Saviour bestowed great honor upon his forerunner. Be- cause John the Baptist sustained so elevated a character, and stood at the threshold of the dispensation of the Gospel, pro- claiming and witnessing its advent, Christ said that no greater prophet had arisen. Rev. John Emerson stands before us for more than half a century in this high character and position- building on foundations not his own, and yet his own, for he preached Christ in what was then a wilderness, and in the infan- cy of this town, and in its youth, and even up to its maturity he " divided the word of truth," witnessing the power and value in shaping even the temporal fortunes of a rising settlement. John Emerson literally " bent the twig " of our century tree. And whatever of grateful shade or varied fruitfulness it exhibits to us to-day, is due in some noticeable degree to his judicious and prayerful labors as a minister of the Gospel, and "preacher of . righteousness." He was settled by the town, and for life, and for fifty-seven consecutive years he broke to this people the bread of life. He " catechised " the children. He superin- tended their day school studies,-the duties of "school commit- tee" devolving largely and sometimes wholly on him. He bap- tised more than 1200 of infants and adults, thus earning the title some of us would think, of " John the Baptist," as well as " John preaching in the wilderness."
He preached as it is supposed about 3500 written sermons ; and he followed more than 1000 of his people to the grave, only one or two of those who settled him being among the living when he died.
In his half-century sermon, he says that for fifty years, the whole time in which he had been unable to perform the duties of the ministry did not amount to one year. The day before he died, being in his 81st year, he went to the church prepared to preach. But another clergyman being providentially present, he did not officiate. But he died with the harness on. How much do we owe to this good man, who worked so long and so
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well for the religious institutions of this town, and through them for its highest and best interests ! His grave stone stands in yonder burial place, but if you seek for his monument "look around you." Let this town to the latest generation cherish the memory of their first minister, as not only a forerunner but under God a founder and builder in their prosperity .*
For this prosperity in the past, Conway owes much to a succession of excellent and devoted ministers ; some of them very eminent ones. Some are with us to-day, whom we gladly wel- come and honor. Of the pastors of the Congregational Church, of whom only my knowledge permits me to speak, Edward Hitch- cock, afterwards President of Amherst College, is remembered by many of the older persons present as the colleague for four years of the first pastor. He was not less eminent here as a preacher and pastor, than he was afterwards in the scientific and christian world ; and wich this joint pastorate commenced the eminently flourishing period in the religious history of this town.
Rev.'Daniel Crosby succeeded Mr. Hitchcock, and during his ministry the revivals of religion with which God had begun to bless this town continued and increased in depth and power. Mr. Crosby afterwards became pastor of the Winthrop Church, Charlestown, and died in the service of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.
Rev. M. G. Wheeler, now of Woburn, Mass., followed Mr. Crosby, and his ministry of seven years many of those present will recall, as they see and hear him to-day. Now, "the old meeting house," having fulfilled its mission, gives way to the present more modern one.
Rev. Samuel Harris, now President of Bowdoin College, Me., whose necessary absence we all regret, succeeded Mr. Wheeler, and his eminently able and successful pastorate of nine years, most of those present will recall as another period marked by continuous revivals of unusual power, reaching and pervading all parts of the town, and all ages and classes. Mr. Harris' ministry is held by all who were at that time residents of Con- way, in grateful and appreciative remembrance,-as is Rev. Mr. Adams' more recent pastorate of thirteen years. The latter pe- riod embraces also seasons of precious revival and the eventful times of the first years of the " civil war."
* The following incident illustrating both the conscientiousness and the wit of Mr. Emerson, has been communicated by Prof. E. S. Snell, since the celebration :
When Mr. Emerson informed Miss Sabra Cobb, his intended wife, of his purpose to go to Conway, she could not bear the thought of going into the depths of the wilderness, so far out of the world, and tried to prevail on him to find a place near- er Boston, and give up, for her sake, the engagement he had made with the Con- way settlers. He would not hear to it, and expressed his determination in these words :- " I cannot give up the corn for the sake of the Cobb." It appears that she yielded, and the good man enjoyed corn and " Cobb " too for many years,
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Of other faithful and devoted laborers in the vineyard of the Lord, connected with the Baptist Society,* and of the many em- inently pious and useful men and women who have worked and worshipped among these hills, I cannot now speak. Many of them have had a " good part " in the religious prosperity of this favored town. They have been "laborers together with God,"' and servants of Jesus Christ the Great Master Builder, who is " Head over all things to his Church."
Mr. President :- From the religious institutions of Conway we turn with grateful acknowledgment and thanksgiving to God, for what he has wrought through them thus far. To them under God we point our children as the key to the past, and the hope of the future prosperity of this town. And, building on the same foundations of prophets and apostles, Jesus Christ being the chief Corner Stone, let it be the hope and prayer of us all that the religious history of Conway's second century may fulfill in still larger fruitfulness, the good and happy omens of this first century.
Our Educational Institutions-ancient and modern.
Responded to by Dea. JOHN CLARY.
I have the impression, Mr. President, that the ingenious Yan- kee, who invented this sentiment, designed to give sufficient scope to his subject to accommodate any respondent. But I shall take the liberty to ignore so vast a theme, and only give you a bit of egotism. Since I have been called out as Teacher in former days, allow me to say that I regard myself as a kind of middle man to-day, standing here between my teachers and my pupils. And when I repeat with profound respect such names, now before me, as Caleb Rice, Austin Rice, Harvey Rice, and Eugene Field, men from whom I received the first rudiments of education, you will judge that it was not their fault, if I have not succeeded in my vocation. I would not have it understood, how- ever, that Rice was the only or chief mental aliment I imbibed in my youth ; yet I am free to say that then, as now, it was regard- ed as an article, very pleasant to take, and exceedingly nutritious.
* Dea. R. A. Coffin, of the Baptist Church, has kindly furnished the following information concerning some of the pastors of that church :
Rev. Calvin Keyes was pastor for more than twenty years. He was ordained in 1799. He was a man of limited education, but a faithful servant of Christ. His labors were blessed to the conversion of many souls. During his ministry about 130 persons were added to the church by profession.
Rev. Josiah Goddard was a man of good education and strong mind, whose influ- ence was widely felt for good, not only in the church, but in the community gen- erally.
Rev. David Pease was pastor nearly ten years, though not consecutively. When he came here, he found the church in a low and disorderly state. By the blessing of God upon his labors, order and harmony were restored, and a goodly number at different times added to the church.
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But with still deeper interest and more tender emotions, I am . allowed, with cordial greetings, to meet many of my former pupils, whom I had not seen for a long time, not now boys and girls, as they were regarded more than a quarter of a century ago, but fathers and mothers, and some of them, grandparents even, sustaining important and responsible positions in society. And of the five hundred and more, who were under my care during the twenty-nine consecutive terms of our select school, I can recall but one who turned out badly. He, after attending a few weeks, deserted, leaving his board and tuition bills unpaid, and the last I heard of him he was in prison. And I think I do but obey the impulses of human nature, when I say I am proud of the relation I sustain to so many of these honorable men and women to-day, and while constrained reluctantly to omit the names of the female worthies, who have adorned our institution, let me, as a specimen of the whole designate a few, who have been conspicuous in the interesting exercises of this occasion, such as David C. Rogers, William Howland, George Howland, Edward W. Root, and Charles B. Rice, and I have only to add These, these are my jewels.
Our Great-Grandfathers :- Their houses, household furniture, and social etiquette, one hundred years ago.
Responded to by ABNER FORBES, substantially, as follows :-
" Patrick," said the Court to a witness, "are you of lawful age?" "Shure, I am," said he, " for I was jist twenty-one, last Michaelmas eve, at tin o'clock, exactly, yer honor, and I will swear to that on the Holy Book." "But how can you be so exact ? You cannot be so from your own knowledge." "And was I not there meself, at the very time? and who should know better than I ?"
Now, Mr. President, I do not pretend that I was here one hun- dred years ago, but I was here more than three-quarters of a hun- dred years ago, and I have a vivid recollection of many things that existed, and many incidents and events that transpired more than seventy years since.
Persons that have lived three score and ten, or four score years, are a kind of connecting link between two ages, and their memo- ries are depositories of many facts and circumstances, which will probably never be recorded in history, but which might be inter- esting were they preserved for after generations.
A large portion of Conway one hundred years ago was an unbroken and primitive forest. The oak, the ash, the chestnut, the cherry and the pine, and many other trees, which would now be very valuable for timber, were then often destroyed by fire to get rid of them. More than nineteen-twentieths of the dwell- ings were constructed of unhewn logs, with rough stone chim-
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neys. Two or more beds, with very likely a trundle-bed were crowded into the only room in the house. The furniture, of course, was very rude, and but little of it; yet every family had a great and a little wheel, and generally a loom; for in those days people in the country wore but little cloth, if any, that was not of home manufacture. For many years after frame houses became common, no carpet was seen on any floor in the town. Crockery ware was but little used. Trenchers and wooden plates were for common use, and pewter ones for extra occasions. No plates of any kind were used at breakfast by most of the people. The 'steak, ham or fried pork was cut into mouthfuls by the cook, and put into a platter containing gravy. This was placed in the center of the table, and from it the food was conveyed to the mouth by a fork, while bread was sopped in the gravy, as each one's taste dictated. A pewter cup or a wooden can was placed on the table filled with some kind of beverage for common use. Sometimes when several ladies met together they indulged in the luxury of a cup of tea, if they could do so without its being pub- licly known-tea being regarded in those days as a contraband article by all true patriots. Silver four-tined forks were unknown, and steel three-tined ones had no precedent except in the sceptre of the ocean-god-the trident of Neptune. Pianos and melo- deons were not in existence. A guitar and possibly a harp, might have been found in the parlors of the wealthy in our large towns .*
The furniture of Madame Emerson, who came from Boston, produced a great sensation in Conway. She had a table-cloth for her table ; probably it was the only one in town. It was much talked about. A boy who had heard of the table-cloth but had never seen it, called at Mr. Emerson's one day about noon to re- turn a borrowed half-bushel. The first object that met his eye was the famed table-cloth. So occupied were his thoughts with this strange vision, that instead of doing his errand correctly, he exclaimed, " Mr. Emerson, I have brought home your table- cloth."
Wheel carriages were but little used by the early settlers. Hay, grain, &c. were generally moved on sleds, even in summer. In winter, families often went to meeting and to parties on ox-sleds. Riding on horseback, in the every day vocations of life, was com- mon with both sexes. The farming utensils then used would be objects of curiosity now. None but an old person can realize the change that has taken place in respect to manners, customs and etiquette in the course of the past seventy years.
*For many years after its settlement, the utmost that Conway could furnish in the musical-instrument line, was a violin, then called a fiddle, with a sturdy negro to perform on it. This instrument was considered almost indispensable at balls and festive gatherings generally, and the negro's services were in very frequent demand.
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Mr. President :- I will conclude by relating an incident, in which Mrs. Emerson's table-cloth figured somewhat strikingly. There was a meeting of the Congregational Association at Rev. Mr. Emerson's, and among the ministers present was Rev. Mr. Taggart of Coleraine. He was a very corpulent man, and very eccentric in his manners. He wore no suspenders, and hence be- tween his vest and his waistband there was often quite a space, through which his linen had a tendency to protrude. Dinner hour arrived and Mr. T. was seated at the table, which was covered with the ample snow-white table-cloth-a luxury to which he was not accustomed. He soon became deeply engaged in conversa- tion ; not so deeply, however, but that after a little time, he per- ceived something white in his lap. Not thinking of the table- cloth, and supposing that his own linen had become disarranged, he proceeded to adjust, and thus connected a portion of the table- cloth with his own clothing. Dinner having been finished, Mr. Emerson requested Mr. Taggart to return thanks. He according- ly arose from the table and stepped back, when forthwith a sad crash ensued. Tureens, plates, platters, &c., moved from the ta- ble with the unlucky table-cloth, and fell. Mr. T., however, was equal to the occasion. He deliberately proceeded with the relig- ious service, and at the same time, as deliberately released the table-cloth from its connection with himself. The effect produc- ed by this scene on the minds of his brethren in the ministry may be more easily imagined than described.
Our Great Grandmothers .- If the traditions from the great grandfathers are to be believed, they are not excelled in personal charms, or in expansiveness of attire, or in the unique grotesqueness of capital adornments by their great granddaugh- ters.
Responded to by Rev. GEORGE M. ADAMS, formerly a minister in the town.
ยท Mr. President :- When we get together on such an occasion as this, it is well to lay aside any extreme stiffness and reserve, and to enter heartily into the pleasant thoughts and associations of the hour. I love to preach the gospel, but I did not suppose you would ask me to preach to-day. So I came here ready to be a friend among old friends, without any special professional re- straint. But really I was not prepared for such a post as you have assigned me. You require me to talk about the beauty of the young ladies, about feminine attire and accomplishments. Why, sir, what should I know about these things ? There must be some mistake. You meant this sentiment for one of these young men near me.
There is only one way, as I see, in which I can meet your com- mand, and compare old times with new in respect to matters of beauty and dress. And that is by reasoning on the question ; and taking the argument from analogy, I conclude that the senti- ment here advanced is true. No doubt the great ;granddaugh-
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