USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Danvers > Centennial celebration at Danvers, Mass., June 16, 1852 > Part 9
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In the next carriage were twelve little boys and girls, dressed in white, accompanied by their teacher, wearing wreaths of roses, with bouquets in their hands. The carriage bore the motto-" FLOWERS ARE THE ALPHABET OF ANGELS."
In the last, came the girls of the school, with dresses of white, pink hats and jackets, each carrying a fancy flower basket, and singing on the route a variety of school songs. Their banner was a representation of a rainbow. Underneath was the following :-
"The rainbow promise gives That future years shall brighter be."
The whole number of scholars in the procession from District No. 11, was one hundred and seventy. There are in this district three schools, Primary, Intermediate and Grammar. The boys of these schools, numbering about ninety, were dressed in the Grecian costume, consisting of a white frock with a black belt, a toga or cape, fastened at both shoulders, and extending to, and fastened around, the wrist of the right arm ; long white hose ; low shoes ; and a blue cap, of conical form, the upper part hanging upon the right side of the head. The girls' dress consisted of a white waist and skirt, and a white hat
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adorned with wreaths. In front of the Greeks, were two scholars representing, in costume, ancient and modern physicians In the centre of the Greeks of the Grammar School was a group of High- landers. The scholars of this school bore a banner, upon the folds of which was inscribed, "Knowledge is power"; the Highlanders one, with the motto, "Scotland ! there is music in the sound"; and the Intermediate had for their motto, written partially in hieroglyphics, " Tall oaks from little acorns grow."
Between the boys and girls was a carriage with a platform, upon which Hydropathy was represented. This carriage was tastefully ornamented with wreaths and flowers, and bore on each side the words, "Give me Niagara and I will cure the world." The care and adroit- ness which the Doctor manifested in wrapping up his patient, convinced the multitude that he was skilled in the science which he represented.
A second carriage contained a representation of the Spiritual Rap- pings. Upon the platform was a stand, from which an iron rod passed to a boy underneath, who worked the stand agreeably to signals given by the operator on the top. Upon each side of this carriage was inscribed, " Modern Witchcraft; call and investigate."
In the rear of the Grammar and Intermediate, was the Primary School, drawn in a truly splendid carriage, having seats arranged in the form of a pyramid. From the centre of the upper seat arose a tree, which was rendered truly beautiful by being adorned with roses. The motto, " We are a happy band," appeared among its branches.
There are four teachers employed in these schools. Charles E. Bradford, teacher of the Grammar School; Miss Sarah Safford, assist- ant teacher of the Grammar School; Miss Julia A. Page, teacher of the Intermediate School ; Miss Catherine L. Wiswell, teacher of the Primary School.
This school district is situated in the south part of the town, which was formerly called Brooksby, and afterwards the Middle Precinct. Here is the principal Post Office, Hotel, Warren Bank, the large Bleachery, and extensive Glue Works of Walker & Upton, the Peabody High School, and four of the five churches of South Danvers. Here also is the junction of the South Reading, the Essex, and the Lowell Railroads, and their several Stations.
This district was the residence and birth place of Zachary King, and his numerous descendants, among whom was Hon. Daniel P. King. It was also the birth place of Gen. Gideon Foster, and George Peabody, now of London. It was the residence of Rev. Mr. Holt; and the school was formerly taught by Master Benjamin Gile, the teacher so much celebrated for his eccentricities, as well as his excellencies, and who caused to be inscribed the following words on his grave stone, as his most honorable epitaph :-
"I TAUGHT LITTLE CHILDREN TO READ."
District No. 12 came next, and presented more variety, and evi- dences of at least as great taste and ingenuity, as any which preceded it. Great credit is due to the principal teacher, Miss A. J. DeMerritt, and to those spirited inhabitants of the district who assisted in the preparations, for the beauty and variety of their part of the show. It
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was in this district that some of the youthful days of the Philosopher Dr. Bowditch were passed, and the house where he lived is still stand- ing. Rev. Daniel Poor, D. D., Missionary to Ceylon, was also born here. Here is the Monumental Cemetery, and the spot long known as the "Pine Tree," a famous landmark in ancient times.
There were one hundred and twenty in the procession, who were led off by a gentleman, in full attire of a Hussar, with two military attendants. Then came a Potter, manufacturing the Danvers China- Ware as he passed along. After him came the brave Minutemen of 1775, Capt. Foster as their leader, all being dressed in the costume of "75. The minutemen were followed by a Quaker and Quakeress of one hundred and twenty years ago; also five young ladies and a young gentleman, in costume from one hundred to four hundred years standing.
Next came a representation of Dr. Bowditch, in a vessel, with his globes, quadrant, sextant and compass, with four naval officers,-a banner, on one side of which was painted the cottage of Dr. Bowditch, with these words, "THE HOME OF BOWDITCH." On the opposite side, "HE WHO HAS ADDED LAURELS OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH TO HIS TOWN OR COUNTRY, DESERVES TO BE GRATEFULLY REMEMBERED."
Old Dr. Parr and his Lady, in an ancient chaise, were represented, and both bore marks of extreme old age. Next came a banner, borne by three lads in Italian costume, with this inscription :-
"From the clime of song and sun, From the banks of Arno's river, Italia's fair daughters we come, With Floral offerings hither."
Following the banner were fourteen young misses, as Italian Flower Girls, dressed in white muslin, with baskets of flowers on their heads, singing as they passed along. A pony and chaise, with a miniature man, in costume of olden time, with two young misses.
Then followed a Turkish tent or harem, with the grand Sultan and his family, which consisted of four wives and eight children, in the full dress of the in-door costume ; the Sultan quietly enjoying a smoke from his chibouk as he passed along, while his wives were as happily engaged with the smaller Turkish pipes.
Three carriages were decorated with evergreens, flowers and ban- ners, in which were placed the floral procession.
There was also a large carriage, in which were represented the mothers and daughters of a century ago. One was spinning-another combing flax-another carding-one at the foot-wheel-another mend- ing-one reeling yarn-another knitting-all in ancient costume, with furniture of ancient date. This was the fourth scene in the proces- sion.
It was a source of much regret that the services of the junior teacher, Miss Lucy A. Colby, could not be commanded, on account of ill health. . Her heart was, however, so much in the undertaking, that her fine poetical talent was put in requisition, and in her sickness she dictated to an amanuensis an original hymn, which was sung by her pupils in the procession.
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The principal school in District No. 13 is under the management of Mr. A. G. Webster. The whole number of scholars connected with the school under his charge was fifty-six, only forty-six of whom appeared in the procession. The costume worn by the young ladies consisted of a white dress, green sash, and foundation muslin hats, broad rims, trimmed with a wreath of evergreen, resting on the rim and nearly concealing the crown. That of the young gentlemen was white pantaloons, dark cloth spencers, and cloth caps, surrounded with a wreath of oak leaves. The carriage was drawn by a pair of gray horses, and was very neatly trimmed with small trees and branches, slightly arched at the top ; they were placed about fifteen inches apart on the sides, and the branches were woven together near the top in the form of an arch, between each upright, all of which were very neatly interwoven with evergreen and studded with roses. In front of the carriage, and elevated above it, a banner was suspended, bearing the inscription, "No. 13 GRAMMAR SCHOOL." In the rear of it, a small national flag was suspended from a staff.
The Intermediate School, Miss Martha C. Putnam, teacher, appeared with forty scholars. The carriage was trimmed with evergreen, and drawn by two horses. The girls were dressed in white, with white muslin hats.
The Primary School, Miss Harriet M. Putnam, teacher, with twenty- nine scholars. The carriage was similar to that of the Intermediate School.
Both schools carried banners, designating the number of the district and name of the school.
This district is in North Danvers, and in the centre of the principal village called the "Plains." Here is a Post Office, Hotel, the Third Congregational Church, the Village Bank, and the Holten High School. The Walnut Grove Cemetery, a beautiful and romantic spot, is on its borders. This district is the present residence of Hon. Judge Samuel Putnam, and was the former residence of the late Hon. Elias Putnam, to whose sagacity, public spirit and energy, this village owes much of its prosperity. It was also the residence of Col. Jeremiah Page, and others who have done much for the credit and honor of their town and village.
Last in this division of the procession appeared the children of No. 14. This district is in the flourishing village of Tapleyville, the seat of Mr. Gilbert Tapley's extensive Carpet Factory, and a Post Office. The girls were tastefully arrayed in blue tunics, Gypsey hats, and white dresses, and the boys in straw hats and white pants, numbering about one hundred and twenty. They were seated upon a showy and somewhat unique carriage, built in the form of a cone, of which the base, or lower tier of seats, was about 16 feet across. Above this, arose four other tiers, surmounted by a circular platform, upon which two of the larger boys were stationed, at an elevation of about sixteen feet from the ground, supporting a splendid banner, on one side of which was the inscription, " Tapleyville, No. 14"; and on the other, the device of a budding rose tree, with the motto, " FIRST THE BUD, AND THEN THE BLOSSOM."
The carriage was carpeted throughout, by the generosity of the
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gentlemanly proprietor of the carpet establishment in this vicinity, which added much to its comfort and adornings ; while the miniature banners, that floated in the breeze, the music, that lent its cheering inspiration, and the myriad of happy faces, that adorned the car, seemed strikingly illustrative of one of the mottoes with which it was inscribed, " THE GOOD TIME HAS COME, BOYS "; and the appropriateness of another, " ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL," was readily appreciated by all who "were there to see."
The two rural districts, No. 7 and No. 9, were not represented in the procession. They are situated in the west part of the town, the former having been the residence of the late Hon. Daniel P. King, and Giles Corey, of Witchcraft memory. In a remote corner of this terri- tory and partly in No. 9, is that romantic region known as the " Devil's Dishful," and on a stream flowing through it from Humphrey's Pond, is a large manufactory of hosiery and woolen goods. No. 9 is the least populous district in town, and joins Lynnfield. Its territory is level and the scenery pleasant. It borders on that beautiful sheet of water formerly called Humphrey's Pond, but more recently "Sun- taug Lake," about half of which belongs to Lynnfield.
After the Public Schools, came a gay-looking chariot, called " Lady Essex," containing about fifty young misses, the pupils of the Private Schools of Miss Sarah B. Peirce and Miss Mary Ann Chase, both of which are located in District No. 1.
The young ladies of the former school wore green hats with wreaths, white dresses and green sashes. Those of the latter, wore white hats with wreaths, white dresses and pink sacks.
Their vehicle, which was built for the accommodation of large sleighing parties, made an elegant and imposing appearance, mounted on wheels, and drawn by a fine team of six black horses.
Next after the schools, came a Cavalcade of Young Men, well mounted, under the direction of the following Marshals :
WALTER S. FAIRFIELD, Chief Marshal.
FRANCIS A. OSBORN and JOSEPH JACOBS, Jr., Aids. Assistant Marshals.
THOMAS E. PROCTOR, OSCAR PHILLIPS,
EBEN. SUTTON, Jr., CHARLES C. POOR,
NATH'L P. SYMONDS, Jr.
A second Cavalcade of nearly 300 horsemen, led by the Mounted Band of the Boston Lancers, terminated the grand programme of the pageant. This Cavalcade was under the marshalship of the following gentlemen :
FRANCIS DANE, Esq., Chief Marshal. Jos. S. HODGKINS, and WM. J. C. KENNEY, Aids. Assistant Marshals.
Jos. F. DANE, WM. A. DODGE,
JOHN A. LORD,
CHARLES PAGE,
C. A. GARDINER, HENRY C. POOR, H. O. WILEY,
D. C. TIBBETTS,
GEORGE PRESCOTT.
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After great exertions on the part of the Chief Marshal and his as- sistants, the streets were so far cleared of the multitude of people and vehicles, that the procession was put in motion. Moving down Main street, it countermarched at the Salem line, near the Great Tree, and on its return passed through Holten street, at the junction of which with Aborn street, it passed under a noble triumphal arch. Passing Aborn street into Washington street, it went through another beautiful arch, thrown over the latter street near the residence of David Elwell, Esq., and continued to the Monument, which was tastefully dressed with flags, and then passing up Main street, turned into Central street, marching the whole length of it, and countermarching, reached the Old South Church about noon. The School procession here turned up Lowell street, under direction of their marshals, and proceeded to a large tent provided for their accommodation. The remainder of the procession entered the Church, where the address was to be delivered.
The Church being filled and the assembly quieted, the exercises took place in the following order, viz. :
1. VOLUNTARY on the Organ. 2. INVOCATION, by Rev. James W. Putnam.
3. ANTHEM.
4. READING THE SCRIPTURES, by Rev. James Fletcher. 5. PRAYER, by Rev. Israel P. Putnam, of Middleborough. 6. ORIGINAL HYMN, by F. Poole.
FATHER ! to Thee we raise Our hymn of grateful praise In long arrears ! We sing thy blessings sown, In all our pathway strewn, And ev'ry kindness shewn These Hundred Years.
Where once the Indian trod, The House to worship God Its altar rears : We at its shrine appear, Whose Fathers worshipped here,
In faith and holy fear, These Hundred Years.
Upon this native soil Our fathers erst did toil In hopes and fears : We love their pleasant vales, The hill sides and the dales,
The legends and the tales, These Hundred Years.
We love our verdant hills, The gently rippling rills Delight our ears ;
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We love the blood that runs In veins of noble ones, The Fathers and the Sons ; These Hundred Years.
How many a stricken heart Has felt Death's keenest dart With bitter tears ! In his cold arms have slept The friends our hearts have kept,
The loved ones fondest wept, These Hundred Years-
Oh, God ! we know how brief Our life of joy or grief To Thee appears. Compared with Thy FOREVER ! How short the space we sever, To be recovered never ! -A Hundred Years.
Our Father ! may thine hand Still bless the beauteous land Our love endears- In falling-pray restore us, In blessings hover o'er us, Make glad our path before us, A Hundred Years.
7. ADDRESS, by John W. Proctor. 8. Music, by the Band. 9. POEM, by Andrew Nichols.
10. PSALM, selected from a collection in use 100 years ago, " Faith- fully translated into English Metre; For the Use, Edification, and Comfort of the Saints in Publick and Private, especially in New England."
PSALM LXVII. To the Musician, Neginoth. A Psalm or Song. G
O D gracious be to us, and give His blessing us unto ; Let him upon us make to shine His countenance also. Selah.
2 That there may be the knowledge of Thy way the earth upon : And also of thy saving health In every nation.
3 O God let thee the people praise, Let people all praise thee ; 4 O let the nations rejoyce, And glad O let them be.
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For judgment thou with righteousness Shall give thy folk unto ; The nations that are on the earth, Thou shalt them lead also.
5 O God, let thee the people praise, Let people all praise thee,
6 Her fruit abundant by the earth Shall then forth yielded be.
7 God ev'n our own God shall us bless, God bless us surely shall : And of the earth the utmost coasts They shall him reverence all.
11. PRAYER, by Rev. F. A. Willard. 12. OLD HUNDRED-sung by the whole congregation. 13. BENEDICTION.
The extreme and oppressive heat of the weather and the lateness of the hour, (nearly 3 o'clock,) rendered it expedient, in the opinion of the Committee of Arrangements, to omit a part of the Address, which had already occupied about an hour and three quarters.
The Poem of Dr. Nichols was also omitted. This was a subject of general regret, and the inhabitants subsequently, at a full town meet- ing, unanimously and with much enthusiasm requested Dr. Nichols to read his poem publicly, at some convenient time. To this request he kindly acceded, and the poem was accordingly delivered by him, at the Universalist Church in the South Parish, to a large and highly in- terested audience. .
The vocal music at the Church was of a very high order, being per- formed by a large and efficient choir of nearly two hundred voices, under the direction of Mr. Benj. Lang.
After the conclusion of the exercises at the Church, the procession of ticket holders to the Dinner was formed, and proceeded to a large canvas pavilion, which was erected on the Crowninshield estate, in a fine airy position, near Buxton's Hill. This spot was kindly tendered to the use of the Committee by Hon. F. B. Crowninshield.
EXERCISES AT THE TABLE.
The procession, which had entered the pavilion under escort of the Military and Firemen, soon occupied the tables, which had been spread for 1200 persons. After the guests had taken their places, the fact was formally announced by the Chief Marshal to the President of the day, Rev. MILTON P. BRAMAN. The President then called upon the Chaplain, Rev. Israel W. Putnam, of Middleborough, a native citizen of Danvers, who invoked a blessing.
The feast of good things on the table having ended, the intellectual repast* was commenced by the PRESIDENT, whose introductory remarks
* The speeches at the table are not given in the precise order in which they were delivered, and in some instances remarks, intended to be made, have been furnished at the request of the Committee, by guests who were prevented from speaking by want of time.
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were exceedingly brilliant and happy, and were received with great enthusiasm. To be fully appreciated they should have been heard.
After calling the assembly to order, Mr. BRAMAN said :
The inhabitants of Danvers have, for a considerable period, looked forward to this day with pleasant anticipations ; and as the time ap- proached and they became more engaged in preparation for the event, it acquired in their view a more absorbing interest. It is the first Cen- tennial which Danvers has witnessed ; it is the last which the present inhabitants will be permitted to enjoy. They have not spared pains to contribute to the interest of the occasion. They are anxious that it should gratify all whose hearts beat with emotions of regard for their native town, and all who have been pleased to assemble from other places to unite with them in the entertainments of the day. They hope that it will be long remembered by those in younger life with pleasure and benefit ; and that those who are now children and youth, when they shall become old, shall revert to it as one of the bright spots of their early years.
Allow me to congratulate the assembly, on this beautiful and brilliant June day, on the interesting exhibition which has been witnessed ; on the instructive performance to which we have listened in the house of worship. Permit me to extend a cordial greeting to numerous stran- gers who have honored us with their presence, and to thank those dis- tinguished visiters who have so kindly responded to our invitations, and from whom we expect such rich additions to the pleasures and advan- tages of the celebration. When men high in office and eminent for talent are willing to turn aside from public and important engagements to afford their presence and speak words of wisdom and sympathy on such occasions, they are not acting inappropriately to their distinguished position in the community. It is one of the ways in which they may very much promote the public, patriotic and useful ends for which tal- ent and station are conferred upon them.
The importance of such celebrations can hardly be overrated. They tend to supply materials for the general history of the country. The history of a nation is the collected result of the account of its several component parts ; and the more minute and graphic the delineation of the incidents which compose them, the wider basis they afford for gen- eral history, and the more freshness, spirit and fidelity do they breathe into its pages. What is it that gives Macaulay's history so much of its wonderful fascination and value? It is not merely the brilliant and glowing style with which he clothes his ideas, but the industry with which he has explored ancient and local records, and transferred their smallest details to his own narrative ; the manner in which he has caught the spirit of the times on which he writes, and reflected their very " form and pressure." He has reproduced the past by the clear- est illustrations, and caused its characters and transactions to pass be- fore us as in dramatic representation. He is greatly indebted to such records as correspond with those productions which owe their origin to our centennial occasions. So are all good historians. Many years ago, the library of a celebrated German Professor was procured for- Harvard University. He had been employed on a history of the
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United States, which was left unfinished at his death. With German industry he had made a large collection of American authorities to assist him in his work. I have seen in that library centennial dis- courses of some of the most inconsiderable towns of New England ; discourses in the form of old sermons, smoked and dried, as if the bet- ter to preserve the facts which they contained.
It has been the fault of general histories that they have been too general. They have been too formal, stately, grave. They have not descended enough among facts of less notoriety and magnitude. They have not gone down into the depths of private life, and "caught the manners living as they rise." They have therefore been less faithful representations of past ages, and much less extensively read.
We want occasions that shall give birth to such performances as those to which I have alluded. They turn the attention of municipali- ties to their own history. They seize facts that are passing into ob- livion. They transcribe recollections of those aged persons whose memories will soon cease to retain their impressions. The history of New England has been greatly enriched by these commemorations. They realize a grand idea of Political Economy-the subdivision of labor. Towns, districts, and individuals are employed in collecting materials. It requires time, industry and research to prepare historical notices of quite limited subjects. To recover ancient dates, to obtain an exact statement of facts long since transpired, to gather up from various sources the detached and scattered items that belong to any one topic, is a work of plodding toil. I recently asked Mr. Savage whether he had completed his preparation of a new edition of Farmer's Genealogy, a work of three or four hundred pages, which I knew he had been engaged some time in revising. "Oh no," he replied, " it is only seven years since I began."
" History," it has been said, " is philosophy teaching by example." Our history is much more than that. It is Christianity teaching by example. It is the theory of the Rights of Conscience teaching by example. It is high-souled Patriotism teaching by example. It is the idea of Social Advancement teaching by example. It is the spirit of Republican Liberty and Equality teaching by example. It is the the- ory of an approaching day of Millennial Happiness and Glory for the race teaching by example.
With the exception of the history of revealed religion and the intro- duction of Christianity, ours is the most important and encouraging that ever unrolled its pages to the eyes of oppressed and suffering hu- manity. It holds out the light of hope to every other nation under heaven ; it is to the political world what a sun rising in the West would be to the natural world, before which the light of the present sun should grow dim, and whose broad disk should fill the concave of the heavens.
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