USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Westminster > Celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of Westminster, Mass. > Part 10
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He knew that these little seminaries had been a blessing to the place, and he fondly hoped that the pupils from these schools who had gone abroad, had brought no dishonor upon the town, or its institutions. He could bea testimony that they had been cordially received abroad ; and in most cases, he believed, the Westminster schools, and their graduates, had mutually reflected honor upon each other.
7. The Learned Professions-Although the number of our Sons who have entered them is not great, yet there is no occasion to be ashamed of them, as they are not ashamed of their native town.
The following letter from Dr. Joel W. Wyman, a native of Westminster, and now a citizen of South Carolina, was read :
South Carolina, Beaufort Dist., Sept. 26, 1859.
MR. MERRIAM :
Dear Sir,-Present my sincere acknowledgments to the Com- mittee of Arrangements for their polite and " cordial invitation" to be present at the Centennial Celebration of Old Westminster. Other engagements, and distance so remote, preclude the possibility of my mingling in person, though the spirit will be there, to enjoy the festivities of that great occasion, crowded with historic recol- lections. The origin and settlement of my native town, the hopes, joys, sorrows, successes and reverses of human beings, moving and acting, for a hundred years, make up a thrilling historic panorama ; and nothing could afford me greater pleasure than to join with kindred and old friends in a social " cup of tea," (preserved from the Boston harbor tea party,) on the 6th of October, 1859. The old Red School-house in the woods, fifty years ago ; the physical and mental struggles of youth for pre-eminence ; the Old Church on the Hill, where the music of the March winds vied with the Church
113
choir in loudest strains of melody, spring involuntarily upon my mental vision, as I read your kind letter of invitation.
Permit me to repeat my thanks to the Committee of Arrange- ments, my cordial good wishes to the old survivors of West- minster, my old associates, and their successors, while a tribute of respectful memory hovers over the grave of the departed, once known and loved.
Yours very respectfully, J. W. WYMAN.
Watertown, N. Y., Sept. 26, 1859. J. MERRIAM, Jr., Esq. :
Dear Sir,-I thank the Committee, on whose behalf your letter of the 8th inst. invites me to " be present, and participate in, and partake of, the festivities of the Centennial Celebration of 'Old Westminster,' on the 6th of October next." Although it is not my birth-place, my father and mother, my brothers and my sister, were born there, and I spent several of the early years of my life there, commencing at the date of iny earliest recollection ; and as first impressions are most indelible, so upon the tablet of my mem- ory, underlaying all subsequent impressions, and freshening as life's journey advances, I remember "Old Westminster," as she was fifty years ago-her enchanting landscape at sun-rise, and the plaintive song of the whippowil, at evening twilight-her stern Wachusett, king of all the hills-her smiling hill-sides and serene valleys-her placid meeting-house pond-her gurgling, chattering brooks-her corn-fields and grain-fields-her orchards and mead- ows-her rocks and chestnut woodlands-her capital thunder in summer and her wild snow-storms and huge snow-drifts in winter -her Old Meeting-house on the Hill, with its glass-covered box by the door-side, in which the curious public had notice of intended marriages-the cheerful noon-call of the old " meeting-house bell," and its solemn, measured death-tones, when the " grim messenger." had invaded the town-her quiet " burying-ground "-her solemn Sabbaths-her Thanksgiving and Election days, when the children had pumpkin pies and plum cakes-the trainings on the Common, when gingerbread and new cider were sometimes plenty and cheap -and last, the Old School-house on the Hill, where Perry's Spell- ing Book, Scott's Lessons, and Alexander's Grammar, were oft
15
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sensibly impressed upon young minds, through the palm, by the aid of the ferule.
Such were the surroundings and influences that moulded the character of Westminster boys fifty years ago. What changes for the better, time may have wrought, I know not ; but of the few Westminster men with whom I am acquainted, whose character was cast in the mould of the times fifty years ago, all have remembered with pleasure and gratitude the home of their childhood, and none has brought a blush upon the brow, or a stain upon the history, of his native town.
Regretting that I am not able to be present, and wishing you a right happy time, I offer through you the following sentiment :
Old Westminster-May her Prosperity be as firm as her hills, and as lasting as her rocks-her Morality as ripe as her years, and as pure as her air-her Charity as broad as her landscape, and as unpretending as her streamlets-and her Peace as serene as her summer sky, and as calm as her deepest glen.
With mingled sentiments of pleasure and sadness,
I remain, respectfully yours, C. B. HOARD.
Meriden, Sept. 19, 1859. W. S. BRADBURY, Esq. :
My Dear Sir,-Your letter of invitation was duly received. Please express my thanks for it to the Committee of Arrangements for the Centennial Celebration of your town. It would give me great pleasure to be present, but it occurs just at the time of the meeting of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, at Philadelphia, which meeting I have engaged to attend ; and others would be disappointed by a change of the plan.
I trust you will have a pleasant and profitable day. I shall ever remain interested in the work and welfare of the citizens of West- minster. And I shall ever rejoice in their success. It is a goodly town, and many good, and some able men and women have been raised there, to do service for the cause of truth and humanity. May she send out many more such, to stand in the places of those that have been, and must soon be, gathered unto their fathers. And may this, and other lands, be made to rejoice, as aforetime, in the reception of her Sons to the various departments of professional
115
and business life. And so may the gratitude of the nations, and the benediction of the divine Father, come unto, and rest upon her and her Sons forever.
Yours ever, in the bonds of friendship and faith,
O. H. WHITE, Ex-Pastor of the 1st Cong. Ch. in Westminster, Ms.
Rev. Franklin Merriam, of New Boston, N. H., responded to the sentiment. He said that the toast was highly flattering to those who had gone out from the place, and entered into the professions ; and though he had not the vanity to take any consid- erable portion of it to himself, he believed he could say that none of them had brought dishonor upon their calling, or the place of their nativity. But aside from the learned professions, however various their callings might be, or diversified the fields of their labor, Westminster had many noble men who had labored in other fields of usefulness, and well sustained the credit of the town.
Rev. Joseph Peckham, of Kingston, Ms., was then called upon. He acknowledged the compliment of the sentiment, and made a short and pleasing address, in which he recalled many of the scenes of his early life. He interspersed his speech with several appropriate anecdotes, and passed a facetious eulogium upon the Old Meeting-house Hill, and its inhabitants for a half century or more,-making it the most sacred, the most pleasing, the most honorable, the most varying, the most ludicrous spot in the town- ship. He closed by giving as a sentiment :
May the People of Westminster ever retain in their memory the Old Meeting-house Hill, and keep it green in their affections.
8. The Orator of the Day-Although not a native, yet an adopted citizen.
Mr. Hudson responded as follows : " After the vain attempt to speak from yonder platform, this morning, where I was rebuked and fairly silenced by the whistling of the wind, and the murmuring of the pendent branches of the stately elms, I shall not attempt to make a speech at this time. I will say, however, that I cherish with pride and affection my associations with the town of West-
116
minster. True it is not the place of my birth ; but a residence of a quarter of a century has in a great degree allied me to this town. There are many considerations which render this place near and dear to me.
" I have also received many tokens of respect and confidence from the people of this town, which I cherish in fond remembrance. And though for ten years past I have been absent from you, I rejoice that I dwell among your kindred ; for the town of Lex- ington sent out many emigrants to this place. The Whitneys, the Merriams, the Fessendens, the Estabrooks, the Raymonds, the Edgells, the Pierces, the Cutlers, and some others, either on the male or female side, came from my adopted town. So that though separated from you, I am in the midst of your relatives and friends. I will conclude by giving you a sentiment."
The Town of Westminster-Elevated above her neigh- bors, her air is peculiarly invigorating ; but when con- verted into a gale, a little annoying to speakers and hearers.
9. The Town of Gardner-A fair and lovely daughter of a fond mother.
Edwin Glazier, Esq., of Gardner, was called upon to respond to this sentiment, who spoke as follows: " I will simply say that seventy-four years ago last May, Gardner was incorporated ; the mother, therefore, is twenty-six years older than the daughter. Whatever the mother has been, or may be hereafter, I assure you that the daughter is a burom lass ! "
10. The Escort-Although not military, yet organized for the purpose of fighting an enemy as destructive of property as armed men. May they be as successful in their strife with their natural foe, as they have been, this day, in their new capacity.
11. The Bands -Though they speak with brazen tongues, their notes, at their bidding, will enkindle the fire of patriotism, or the glow of friendship ; will melt the heart into tender pity, or warm it into fervent devo- tion.
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12. The Firemen of Gardner-May they always have " Torrents " of water for their enemies, and " Cataracts " of favors for their friends. 1
Mr. Allen Folger, of Gardner, made the following response : " After enjoying what we have this day, and receiving from you the cordial welcome you have given us, it would be doing both you and ourselves injustice, to let this opportunity pass in silence by the Gardner Firemen. As we have listened with interest to the speeches that have been made, we have felt the truth of the remark, ' that if Westminster could boast of nothing else, she could boast that she had produced MEN.' We have seen it manifested in the efforts that have been made to min- ister to our enjoyment to-day ; and we will return our heartfelt thanks, and assure you that we shall not soon forget this occasion. Your Poct has told us that ' principles were not men.' No, they are as old as the everlasting hills ; and the principles that were instilled by the fathers into their children, years ago, have been developing, and we see the result in the men and women that Westminster boasts to-day.
" But to return to the sentiment. The Firemen of Gardner in- tend fully to carry it out ; but sometimes their enemies are too mighty for them, and they have to withhold their Torrents of water. If the enemy be only fire, they expect to conquer ; but if it be wind, they have to beat a retreat, as they have done to-day. 'We war not with the Highest.' They have heretofore endeavored to have Cataracts of favors for their friends, but they have been obliged to confess, as they came around these tables, that their friends knew how to bestow favors, as well as to receive them."
The sentiments and responses at the table, were interspersed with music from the Bands ; but the same cause which interrupted the speaking, destroyed, in a great degree, the effect of the music ; and as it seemed unkind to call upon the bands to play second fiddle to the elements, their labors were, for the most part, dispensed with, to the regret of the assembly.
Several other sentiments were handed in, and several volunteers were proposed, and would have been offered, had the weather been propitious. We will notice a few of them. One was omitted, which can only be partially atoned for by inserting it here.
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The Ladies of Westminster-Ever first and foremost in every good word and work.
King Philip and his confederate Chiefs -Shrewd, bold and daring, in defence of their rights ; may their names be venerated for their patriotism, and not for their love of war.
Massachusetts, the Home of the Puritan Fathers-The model State of the Union, and the glory of the nation.
The Generation that may celebrate our next Centennial -May they be freed from the contaminating influence of Alcohol, and be wiser, holier and happier than the present generation.
Our Anniversary-A day in our history fraught with grateful recollections of the Past, and hopeful anticipa- tions of the Future-may our most ardent wishes be realized, and our fair fame ever remain bright and un- sullied.
The Union-Saved not by public meetings and patriotic resolutions, but by the dissemination of the great prin- ciples of equity and justice.
The Toils and Sacrifices of the Founders of the Town-
The Fathers-men of noble hearts ; How little do we know, How many hardships they endured One Hundred years ago.
Then let their names be ne'er forgot, Who toiled 'mid heat and snow, To plant their homes among these hills One Hundred years ago.
The Wachusett and the Monadnock-They stand as watch-towers, on the South and the North. May our safety, peace, and prosperity, be as enduring as the everlasting hills.
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AN ODE,
COMPOSED FOR THE OCCASION.
Tune - The Star-spangled Banner.
On the Hill where our fathers with arms in their hands, Oft knelt in devotion, in fear and in trembling, With exultant thanksgiving, in jubilant bands,
Their friends and descendants, this day, are assembling. With a zeal that ne'er tires, our patriot sires Have extinguished the blaze of the wild savage fires ; The might of Jehovah which reigned in their breast, Sustained them in peril, redeemed when oppressed.
And the howl of the wolf and the fierce savage yell,
Which pervaded the forest and echoed in wild-wood, Have at length given place to the chime of the bell,
To the quiet of age, and the safety of childhood. Like the pilgrims of yore, their perils they bore, Till war and oppression afflicted no more. The faith of assurance which glowed in their breast, Sustained them in peril, in peace gave them rest.
And we their descendants, who've entered the rest Of this blissful Canaan, by Providence given- Shall we prove ungrateful for blessings possessed, And make no return for the bounties of Heaven ? No ; in transports of praise, our voices we'll raise, Till spirits made perfect shall join in our lays ; For God is our refuge, his truth will endure, His grace is eternal, his mercies are sure.
In the evening, a portion of the citizens met at the Congrega- tional Church, where Mr. Haywood repeated his Poem, and several speeches were made by citizens and others, which gave additional interest to the occasion. The Firemen also gave a Ball in honor of the day.
The day passed without accident, or any thing save the high wind, to mar the pleasures of the occasion. And even the dis- appointment, arising from the cause spoken of, seemed only to produce a mutual sympathy, which bound heart to heart, and almost involuntarily induced every son and daughter of Westmin-
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ster to fall back, and seek contentment and pleasure on the bosom of their native land :
' And as the child when scaring sounds molest, Clings close and closer to the mother's breast ; So the loud torrent and the whirlwind's roar
But bound them to their native mountains more.'
Much praise is due to the Firemen, whose sport was entirely destroyed, but who, nevertheless, performed the escort duties with cheerfulness ; and whose appearance and orderly behavior con- tributed greatly to the show and pleasure of the day. One incident, which reflects honor upon the Westminster Fire Company, deserves mention. When the people were about to repair to the table, it was ascertained that those who wished to partake of the repast, ex- ceeded the number of plates. This fact coming to the knowledge of the Company, who were already provided with tickets, they cheerfully gave them up, that the ladies, the older citizens, and strangers in the town, might enjoy the pleasures of the table.
Thus passed a day long to be remembered in the history of Westminster ; a day which, while it recounted deeds of valor in the past, privations not unmingled in the cup of bliss, and toils made cheerful by the sunlight of hope, on the part of those who transmitted to us the privileges we enjoy, was eminently calculated to unite heart to heart, and to cement in still stronger union the kindred tie of brotherhood ; a day in which the lights and shadows of the past, mingling with the bright joys of the present, spread a lustre over the century of the Town's history, and inspired the fondest hopes, that the pages of her future history may never be shaded by misfortune, or darkened by crime ; but be enlivened by progress, brightened by prosperity, and rendered more resplendent by intelligence and virtue.
APPENDIX.
-
EVERY student in History has reason to regret the meagre character of the records of the past ; and seeing the importance of full and perfect records, will feel inclined to chronicle the events of his times, so as to relieve those that come after him from the difficulties and embarrassments under which he labors, in presenting a true picture of the ages that pre- ceded him. We have felt this difficulty in our attempt to bring the manners and customs of past generations before the people in our late Celebration, and to show to those now upon the stage to whom we are indebted for the great blessings we enjoy. We have sought in vain for a full list of those who resided in this Township when the place was incor- porated ; and to relieve those who may dwell here one hundred years hence from a like disappointment, we will insert a list of our Town Officers for the year 1859, and the Tax Bill for the same year. And though some at this day may deem the information unimportant, we know that its value will increase from year to year ; and before half a century has rolled round, this list will be looked upon with interest, and our children's children will thank us for the information we have transmitted to them.
And, in order to show those who come after us, the desire of the present generation to perpetuate the memory of our Fathers, and to con- vince coming generations that we do not live for ourselves alone, we will give a copy of the generous vote of the Town in relation to this subject matter :
At a legal meeting held August 27, 1859, after voting to celebrate the Anniversary, and appointing a large Committee for the purpose of carry- ing the same into effect, it was " Voted, That the Selectmen audit the accounts of the Committee, and draw orders on the Town Treasurer for the same, not exceeding fifteen hundred dollars."
It was then moved, that the Committee cause to be printed a sufficient number of copies of the Address to supply each voter with a copy- whereupon the whole subject was referred to the Committee.
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TOWN OFFICERS OF WESTMINSTER, FOR THE YEAR 1859.
TOWN CLERK. WILLIAM S. BRADBURY.
SELECTMEN AND OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
WILLIAM MAYO,
CHIARLES UPTON,
FRANKLIN WYMAN.
ASSESSORS.
THEODORE WHITNEY,
DANIEL C. MILES,
ARETAS RAYMOND.
:
TREASURER. DAVID W. IIILL.
CONSTABLES.
WILLIAM EDGELL,
ALONZO A. PRATT,
PHILANDER C. BROWN.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
ANSON SPAULDING.
CLINTON WARNER.
DANIEL C. MILES.
Valuation of and Tax upon the Property of the Town of Westminster, as taken on the 1st of May, 1859.
Valuation of Real Estate,
$ 555,054 00
Personal Estate,
179,822 00
Total, $ 734,876 00
Amount of money raised to defray town charges, $ 2,500 00
For the support of schools,
1,C00 00
County tax,
1,211 78
State. tax,
399,00
Overlayings,
249 01
Total,
$ 5,959 79
Amount raised to repair the highways, to be laid out in labor among the twenty-six highway districts, . $ 2,000 00
TAX-PAYERS IN WESTMINSTER.
RATE OF TAXATION-72 CENTS ON 100 DOLLARS.
NAMES.
TAX.
NAMES.
TAX.
George Adams,
$14 01
Jonathan Boynton,
$3 52
Alden F. Adams,
6 36
Asa B. Bates,
5 83
Levi Allen,
21 85
Alonzo F. Brown,
2 58
Frederick Allen,
25 11
Samuel N. Barnes,
3 59
Jacob Amies,
16 62
Nathan Baker,
1 50
Francis Alzingre,
5 40
Thomas K. Bathrick,
8 51
Aaron S. Bolton,
4 38
Widow Maria Baker, and ?
14 78
John M. Baldwin,
1 50
Samuel Brooks,
1 50
Michael Brashnain,
1 50
Sewall Barnes,
14 33
Alfred L. Brooks,
1 50
Edward Bacon, Jr.
29 06
Albert E. Brooks,
4 02
Edward Bacon,
4 74
Paul D. Black,
1 50
Philander C. Brown,
5 22
Levi Baker,
1 50
Asa Brooks,
1 61
Nahum Barrell,
33 99
Widow Sally Brooks,
27 58
George R. Battin,
1 50
James R. Bruce,
13 52
William M. Baker,
1 50
Benson Bigelow,
25 53
Joseph Battin,
6 04
Widow L. and
30 55
Merrick Barnes,
1 50
Charles W. Barrell, S
James Brown,
6 55
Luke Bigelow,
23 74
Thomas H. Bailey,
16 58
Stephen Bathriek,
20 86
Robert Butterfield,
1 50
Stillman Brooks,
28 61
Philip F. Bowman,
6 97
Ahijah W. Benjamin,
22 28
William S. Bradbury,
23 46
Maynard Clapp,
1 50
Ivers Brooks,
9 28
Jeremiah Conlan,
8 87
Alexander Bigelow,
5 71
John G. T. Cruise,
5 80
Eber Baker,
28 00
Joshua Cummings,
23 10
Hollis Bolton,
29 02
Chandler Curtis,
19 50
Relief Bond,
7 37
Russell E. Curtis,
1 50
Betsey Bacon,
8 4S
Reuben Chesmore,
14 82
Joel S. Burpee,
1 68
Nathan H. Cutting,
7 98
Gamaliel S. Beaman,
3 30
Asa Cutting,
9 42
George Bruce,
9 51
Jonas Cutler,
31 74
Joel Benton,
2 94
Amos M. Cutler,
6 40
Samuel L. Bridge,
10 91
John Collins,
4 38
John Billings,
1 50
George T. Carter,
1 50
Alden B. Baker,
1 50
Jonas Cutting,
9 42
Simeon L. Bolton,
4 20
Elmer Baker,
9 02
Timothy Brown,
23 06
Charles Cooledge,
17 88
Adonijah, and C. II., and ?
25 75
Walter V. Carr,
16 69
Willard Battles,
15 25
Jolın R. Cooledge,
17 05
Asaph Bush,
4 56
Malachii Cary,
5 24
Benjamin F. Battles,
22 55
John F. Cushing,
5 42
Flavel H. Barnes,
1 50
Hugh Cary,
5 81
Abel Bennett,
19 65
Marshall Cooledge,
1 50
John Brashnain,
7 98
John Cary,
6 41
Benjamin Blake,
3 60
Alonzo Curtis,
24 40
Edwin Blake,
2 08 Michael Carey,
2 44
Nathaniel Wood, as Admin'r } on S. Cooper's Estate,
102 54
Edward R. Carter,
15 54
W. F. Barnes,
Franklin E. Bolton,
1 50
Adin F. Baker,
3
124
Luke W. Carter,
$ 1 72
John Foskett, $ 13 75
Israel N. Carter,
11 67
Daniel Foskett,
8 45
Thomas Cary,
1 50
Simon Foskett, 2 54
Rufus B. Cook,
1 50
M. S. and C. A. Forbush,
74 12
James Callary,
1 50
Reuben Fenno,
18 42
Freeman Clark,
2 22
Barney Fitz Morris,
2 58
Lawrence Croney,
3 52
Joseph W. Forbush,
59 64
Wallace Cheney,
1 50
As Executor on the Estate of J. K. Gates,
5
Caleb W. Cutter,
1 50
Franklin B. Feno,
1 50
Clark, Nichols & Co.
45 17
Albert Forbush,
1 50
Samuel Clark,
4 71
George Findell,
1 50
Harvey Clark,
1 50
Otis Flagg,
2 51
John Cary,
2 58
Levi Feltch,
9 53
Thomas Carter,
1 50
Patrick Callary,
1 72
Samuel Gates,
16 17
Asaph Gates,
7 78
Aaron Derby,
1 50
Asa Dike,
15 07
Thomas Drury,
15 19
Israel Dickinson,
1 50
Israel Dickinson, Jr.
19 70
George W. Gibbs,
3 61
Thomas Damon,
30 55
B. F. D. Gibbs,
1 50
Luke Divoll,
14 06
Leonard MI. Gates,
16 23
Vinall S. Dunn,
5 67
Martin Griffin,
1 50
Almond Derby,
9 71
Carlos Griffin,
5 28
John J. Dupee,
12 67
Patrick Gately,
4 27
Leander II. Dupec,
6 18
James Griffin,
2 58
Abner M. Drury,
15 64
Warren P. Gibbs,
4 60
Michael Day,
4 16
Calvin G. Goodridge,
10 92
Timothy J. Devine,
1 08
Heirs of Thomas Gaut,
2 88
John Danvee,
5 34
Patrick Grithin,
1 50
John Donley,
4 56
Mary E. Goddard,
2 43
Patrick Douley,
2 80
Martin Gately,
4 00
Joseph Dutton,
1 50
Henry N. Derby,
1 50
John Haywood, 42 70
Joseph Howard,
9 46
John C. Everett,
12 06
David W. Hill,
14 54
Nathan Eaton,
5 28
Lucia M. B. Hill,
5 04
Nathan Eaton, Jr.
5 18
Nathan Howard,
10 75
Marshall Eaton,
9 95
Joseph Howard, 2d,
9 86
Millicent Estabrook,
11 72
Franklin IIowe,
27 30
Betsey Estabrook,
1 94
George Harris,
16 30
Mary Estabrook,
1 62
William Hadley,
4 23
John Estabrook,
2 81
Phineas P. Hartwell,
15 37
William Edgell,
5 10
Benjamin Harrington,
12 49
Ellery Estabrook,
19 39
Amos B. Holden,
4 38
Suneon Eaton,
1 50
Wid. Betsey Holden,
72
James M. Eaton,
1 50
Wid. Mary Hagar,
19 94
William Eaton,
6 46
George W. Hagar,
30 34
Wid. Luey W. Estey,
27 11
Jonas and Handel Holden,
10 31
Preston P. Ellis,
6 18
Benjamin Howe,
7 91
Stillman Eaton,
9 79
Daniel Harrington,
21 92
Augustus Eager,
14 69
1sa Holden,
1 50
Charles A. Estabrook,
5 32
Leonard Hoar,
4 20
Oliver B. Estey,
6 42
Jolın Hoar,
3 55
Horatio Eager,
32 46
Wid. Hannah Howe,
72
William W. Estey,
2 94
Willard Houghton,
2 41
John T. Emerson,
2 76 Leander Hartwell,
3 93
Francis Estey,
2 94 John Horn,
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