USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Georgetown > Georgetown: story of one hundred years, 1838-1938 > Part 9
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And, finally, give us the gift of the Fear of the Lord which is the beginning of wisdom; the gift of Reverence, a holy fear, the fear of a dutiful child for a kind and loving Father-not the fear of a craven slave nor of a guilty transgressor; the fear of reverence and of love that will cause us to consider offending Thee the greatest evil in the world.
These gifts we ask of Thee that we and our children may carry on for a yet more glorious future for this town we are pledged to love; these gifts we ask in the name of Thy Divine Son, Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
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CENTENNIAL HYMN
BY JOSHUA H. JONES
Oh God, the fountain source of faith By which we daily live, Come, fill our hearts with prayer that saith Teach us our best to give. With heartfelt thanks we gather now And scan the distant past. Where gratefully our heads we bow O'er us protection cast.
Here have we labored for thy good And worshipped as you taught; The blights of pestilence withstood, Your inspiration caught. Here, rooted deep within the soil From which traditions spring We feed the flame of truth with oil Sourced where right loves to cling.
One hundred cycles Time has whirled In tune with thy command; Each season some new grace unfurled In blessing o'er our land, And brought us to this holy hour In which in turn we count All favors, instinct with your power From life's eternal fount.
What of achievement be our meed We dedicate to Thee. Be with us in our every need; From evils keep us free. And as each century unfolds In wisdom may we grow, Until the world in truth beholds What bounties you bestow.
Amen.
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COMMUNITY SERVICE AND PAGEANT
" . and thereby to promote a disposition favorable to friendship and good neighborhood .. . (Jay's Treaty) 1794
T O lay stress on those fundamental things which every community must have in common, the Executive Committee decided on a community service to be conducted by the settled clergymen of the town. A community supper was at first considered with high favor, but this had to be abandoned for more reasons than one. There appeared to be nothing but praise for the affair which was held on the ball field of the new Perley High School on Sunday afternoon, July 3. A stage of Shakespearean simplicity had been erected in front of the bleachers and here the clergymen took their seats shortly after four o'clock.
The day had been fair up to that time, but dark clouds soon appeared and every- body was apprehensive of an unhappy interruption of the program. Only a few drops of rain fell, however. For two hours or more the one hundred and more persons who were to take part in the historical episodes, had gathered in the high school building where period costuming and make-up were provided. The permanent seats on the ground, and many additional seats, were quickly filled, and it was impossible to provide entirely for the crowd of more than seven hundred persons.
The program opened with an introductory address by Rev. Samuel M. Le Page, Ph.D., pastor of the Byfield Congregational Church, and chairman of the committee of clergymen. He spoke of the formation of the old parishes and of the character of the men and women in those early days. The audience then sang an original hymn written by Joshua H. Jones, associate editor of the Boston City Record and a poet of note. Rev. Fr. Stephen J. O'Brien, pastor of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, gave an invocation in high spiritual language, and Rev. Glenn Tilley Morse, rector of All Saints' Episcopal Church, gave the Scripture reading, Psalm 103. An address by Rev. George W. Smart, pastor of the First Baptist Church, warning of the danger of an invasion of foreign philosophies of government that might undermine American democracy, was followed by a collection. The audience then sang America.
JOHN SPOFFORD'S ARRIVAL
No more interesting setting could have been chosen for a meeting of the kind. The stage was flanked by evergreen trees taken from nearby woods. The background, always impressive, was furnished by the wide sweep of woods on Atwood's Hill and the fine variety of trees and shrubs skirting the field. John Spofford, himself, could not have been more deeply impressed with natural conditions when he journeyed to the hill that bears his name. Spofford's arrival on the outer edges of the parish to make the first settlement in the town was the subject of the first episode, and the audience on that Sunday afternoon could well imagine the boldness of the doughty pioneer as he and his family arrived at their new home, a rude log cabin, in 1669.
Spofford was impersonated by Paul M. Meader with realistic effect. Miss Anna Fuller took the part of the pioneer's wife and Frank Noyes, Albert Noyes, Betty Ann Nally, Mary Nally and Rosemary Merrill appeared as the Spofford children. The family came to the front of the stage with their household belongings in an old cart, Spofford leading the horse, and carrying his musket; Mrs. Spofford trailing behind; one of the boys on horseback and the other on foot, and the three girls in the cart. Of course, the elders were casting apprehensive eyes at the surroundings for any enemy that might be lurking in the woods. No Indians were seen, however. The conversation ran like this:
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John-Here we are, Elizabeth, bag and baggage. Thought you'd squeal at the last moment ... no road, no houses, no neighbors ... six miles from the old home-all woods, but that cleared land yonder and the old Bald Hill above us. But ... ninety acres of land-
Elizabeth-But ... the ... Injuns, John.
John-Injuns (pats his gun) Injuns ... they'll be dead Injuns when they run afoul of this. ... There ain't any red bodies here, Elizabeth.
Elizabeth-We're gettin' old, John. You're fifty-seven ... and not a spry man any more .
John (straightening up)-I'm not, eh! Look at my arms (taps his muscles) I could strangle a bear . .. or a wolf. Besides, the muskets will always be loaded. We'll carry them everywhere. Elizabeth . .. you ... tremble.
Elizabeth-No ... No ... No-John. We were long in decidin' ... with so big a family we couldn't live in a small place .. . it's a good grant, John, a won- derful hill ... It's work, work, work, John from now on. 'Taint like the old place where all the neighbors worked together . . .
John (thoughtfully)-That ain't no way to live. But we'll miss the good times ... the good neighbors ... Won't hurt us to work early 'nd late. We'll get the cows 'nd the oxen tomorrow . . . the boys are good and strong .. . soon we'll laugh at the old days, Elizabeth.
Elizabeth (viewing the country)-How beautiful ... those hills and val- leys. We're the first but there'll be plenty to follow ... a good road we need ... Those people ain't going to be cooped up on those salt marshes, John.
John-It'll be a sort of New Rowley, won't it? There's the Brocklebanks, the Searles, the Adamses, the Chaplins-and all the rest .. . they're restless .. . they'll move on.
Elizabeth-John . . . the years will pass. We're not long here, but our chil- dren will take our places (looking lovingly at them). They'll marry ... hope they don't all take Rowley girls ... and the SPOFFORDS will spread far and wide. (All laugh.)
Son John-Right, Ma ... I got a girl now, you know.
Elizabeth-Hush, hush, John.
Daughter Elizabeth-I'm older'n you, brother . . . I come first .
Son Samuel-I'll never leave Ma and Pa.
Hannah and Mary (in unison)-Nor I, Ma ... nor I, Ma.
Elizabeth (walks about the cabin, and lifts her head high)-May the good Lord have mercy on our souls-may he give us strength to fight our battles in the wilderness and . . . may a Spofford ever remain in this goodly land.
The trials of the Spofford family have never been recorded, so far as known. They had lived thirty years in the Rowley settlement and had longed for a farm. The Rowley band were slowly leaving their narrow confines. In 1661 Captain Samuel Brocklebank had granted to him a farm on seventy-two acres near Pen Brook. But this fearless warrior did not make the house he built his permanent home, and thus the honor of being the first settler in Georgetown is accorded Spofford. He and his descendants retained the lease eighty-one years and at the end of that period it reverted to the town. The Spoffords had become the owners of nearly a thousand acres adjacent.
FOUNDING OF THE PARISH
Thirty-one years after their settlement, on October 1, 1731, the West Parish or Pre- cinct, was set off from Rowley and the Parish of Byfield, by act of the Legislature. Four days later a meeting was held in the rude church to choose precinct officers, having been Page Seventy-two
called by Benjamin Plumer, designated as "principal inhabitant." The original settler, John Spofford, had lived only ten years after his settlement, and his eldest son John had become head of the household. He had been commissioned a lieutenant in the military service. He must have been an upstanding man, for he was elected moderator of the meet- ing and also one of the assessors.
Nobody knows how many of the forty-four petitioners for the new parish attended this meeting or how much joy they expressed over the decided change that had been wrought in their affairs. The second episode of the Sunday afternoon program was an attempt to picture the scene in the church. The men, dressed in the old time clothing, sat on benches. There was a table in the center. The proceedings were as follows:
Benjamin Plumer-It want sich a big job after all . . . the General Court didn't take our word for it altogether . . . they knew the Parish had been clumsy for years ... forty-two families signed up ... we got ter organize with church and school ...
Lieutenant Spofford-Yes ... they fin'ly set us off; we'll grow fast now we stand on our own feet .. . I want ter live to see new roads, farms, schools, churches ... why we'll soon outstrip the village six miles away .. .
Benjamin Plumer-Let's choose officers 'n be done with it (he passes round the ballots and announces) it's moderator we be votin' for ... (when ballots are turned in Plumer announces Lieutenant John Spofford's unanimous election. Spof- ford takes the chair.
Spofford-Now we vote fer clerk ... (Ballots are distributed and Spofford announces the election of Jonathan Boynton who arises and is sworn by the Justice of the Peace, dressed in a long coat, white collar and sword, who uses the words that appear in the records):
Justice of the Peace-You being chosen clerk of the West or Second Parish in Rowley, you swear that you will diligently and faithfully attend and discharge the duty of your place and duly observe the directions of the law in all things where to your office hath relation and thereby committed to your care and trust SO HELP YOU GOD.
Spofford (with a swing of his brawny arms)-Now we vote fer assessors. (Ballots are distributed, counted and Moderator announces the election of himself, Jeremiah Chaplin, Ensign Benjamin Plumer, William Searl, Aaron Pengrey. Justice of the Peace steps forward and recites the oath as follows):
Justice of the Peace-You being chosen assessors of the West or Second Parish in Rowley for one year ensuing, do swear that in assessing or apportioning such rates or taxes you will proceed equally and independently according to your best skill and judgment and the rules to be prescribed in the act or acts granting the same.
Spofford-Now let's vote fer collectors. (Ballots are passed and counted and the Moderator announces the election of Jonathan Thurston and Samuel Johnson. They receive the oath as follows):
Justice of the Peace-You being chosen collectors of the West or Second Parish in Rowley do swear that you will faithfully and with what speed you can, collect and levy all such fines, rates and warrants according to law, rendering an account thereof and paying in the same according to the direction in your war- rant, and in all these things you shall deal seriously and faithfully while you shall be in office without sinister respect of favor or displeasure-SO HELP YOU GOD.
Spofford-That's all we are supposed to do. The officers are 'lected accordin' to the act of the Legislature. The sun's high in the heavens. . . . We go to work on new lines . . . let's be men . .. let's fight and fight fer our rights and fer our
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families ... they're rough times ahead, but nobody can down us ... church, school and family, boys, forever.
The foregoing episode, in charge of Miss Eleanor Stetson, included the following personnel: Justice of the Peace, Robert F. Metcalf; Benjamin Plumer, Oscar Tidd; Lieu- tenant John Spofford, Paul M. Meader; Jonathan Boynton, Robert Bent; Jeremiah Chaplin, William Marshall; William Searl, Vernon F. Flanders; Aaron Pengrey, Harry Hunter; Jonathan Thurston, Ralph F. Prescott; Samuel Johnson, William Meader; John Brockle- bank, G. Walter Brown.
Many of the costumes worn by members of the chorus, which sang some old- time songs, were from the wardrobes of families who trace their ancestry back to the first settlers. The chorus included Mrs. Helen D. Rogers, Mrs. Mabelle F. Poole, Mrs. Ruth B. Stetson, Mrs. Harriet S. Poole, Miss Barbara R. Poole, Mrs. Florence B. Haskell, Miss Satira T. Stetson, Paul M. Meader, William T. Meader, G. Walter Brown, Miss Linda H. Rogers, Miss Natalie S. Poore, Miss Olive R. Metcalf, Mrs. Hazel D. Schwartz, Miss Josephine Perkins, Miss Ellen Welch, Miss Molly B. Root, Harry Hunter, William J. C. Marshall, Robert F. Metcalf, Oscar E. Tidd, Robert Bent, Vernon F. Flanders, Ralph F. Prescott, Mrs. Lena M. Flanders, Leonard C. S. Brown, William C. Stetson, John H. Wilkins, cornetist.
FOUNDING OF THE FIRST SCHOOL
Nine years after the Parish was organized, a vote was taken to build a schoolhouse "near the brook of Captain Jonathan Bradstreet's and the brook by Francis Brocklebank's." The episode, in charge of Miss Olive Metcalf, was directed by the teacher, Mrs. Huldah (Nelson) Harriman, impersonated by Mrs. Laura G. Pedder who conducted her class after the manner of teachers in the Colonial days. The pupils were as follows: Jonathan Thurston, Lewis Holt; Charity Thurston, Rosemary Merrill; Mehitabel Pengrey, Doris Merrill; Job Pengrey, Samuel Noyes, Jr .; Jeremiah Chaplin, Everett Spaulding, Jr .; Patience Chaplin, Betty Ann Nally; Hannah Boynton, Mary K. Nally; Ebenezer Boynton, William J. C. Marshall, Jr .; Daniel Brocklebank, Clifton Elliott.
As this class was dismissed, the teacher announced that by contrast the audience would be given an example of the result of modern training in music in the public schools. A large chorus of school children, in charge of Mrs. Genie F. Kimball, musical director of the public schools of the town, led the children in several songs.
The choir comprised Barbara Bangs, Florence Bishop, Juanita A. Brown, Hallie Chase, Barbara Christian, Rebecca Dea, Ruth C. Dea, Natalie Doucette, Alice S. Fuller, Arlene M. Fuller, Doris L. Gifford, Myrtle Graves, Helen Greenler, Margaret Greenler, Barbara Haskell, Elizabeth Hazen, Gloria Hemeon, Lillian Hull, Anna Kelsey, Louise Kelsey, Pauline Kelsey, Sheila Marshall, Barbara McEnaney, Jane L. Merrill, Gloria Noel, T. Albert Perley, Eleanor F. Perley, Mary Smith, Mildred Snell, Doris E. Tidd, Betty F. Tidd, Jeanette Tidd, Elizabeth L. Spaulding, Grace Wood and Madeline Woodworth.
Nobody can speak with the slightest degree of authority, unless there are records or testimony unrevealed, on the question how the town happened to receive the name of Georgetown. When the petition was filed with the Legislature there was no mention of a name. The legislative bill was drawn in blank on that matter. The report of the legislative committee makes no mention of a name. Certain suggestions have come down to us, as related by citizens of that early period, notably by Mrs. Hannah Pettengill who was the first female child born after the town was incorporated.
Miss Pettengill made it known in private conversation (there are no notes extant from her pen on that subject) that the name of Georgetown was a sudden inspiration on the part of several citizens whose given name was George. She, and others as well, often spoke of the long and rather bitter discussions and of many names suggested in substitu- tion for New Rowley. It appears, however, that New Rowley was a name much favored at first, or until the feeling against the old town was intensified by the spirit of exclusiveness which increased year after year. Rowley Common was six miles away and the road be- tween the two villages was only fit for ox teams. The stage jolted over it and it cost fifty cents for a passage. When the postoffice was established in New Rowley in 1824 it usually took three or four days for a letter to reach either point.
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The Littles were not favorable to incorporation for many years, but they were finally won over. They resisted all suggestions that with incorporation they should be honored by the new designation. It seems to have been a fact, however, that there were several leading citizens who wished thus to perpetuate their name. Perhaps George Foot was the leader in that respect. But there were also such men as George Drew, George Spofford, George Adams, George Chaplin, George Nelson, George Avery, George Tenney and George Boynton who were leaders in the discussion. Though neither Miss Pettengill nor any other person, so far as known, has left us with definite knowledge, Miss Pettengill did say, on numerous occasions, that the name of Georgetown came suddenly to mind at one of the many group meetings in the office of Savory's Tavern (later, Pentucket House). The boys were in the habit of lounging about there night after night. They talked and talked town affairs, spun yarns, settled world and family problems, over the flowing bowl. Savory was one of those bon vivants of the 1830's who kept things humming.
NAMING OF THE NEW TOWN
For the purposes of the episode, as presented at the Community service, the audience was expected to imagine the scene in Savory's Tavern when the name of Georgetown came to mind and for a decision. The nine Georges were lounging about, some with feet on the tables, others slumped down in their chairs. The petition for incorporation had been filed. The legislative committee had announced a hearing. The conversation ran as follows:
Chaplin-If we can't agree on a name ... let's call it off . . .
Adams-Oh ... not so fast, Chaplin, it'll come.
Tenney (murmuring)-Pitts ... Pittsham-Pittt, Pitt, Pitt. Chatham . Chatfield, Chatinham. (He was thinking of the English statesmen who were friends of the Colonists.)
Spofford-Don't let's go to England or Africa for a name. (He also mur- murs.) King George .. . Queen Victoria ... Cromwell ... Columbus-
Boynton (after a pause of several minutes)-Haven't we got a hero or two on this side of the water that we can honor ... what about those men who founded the parish a hundred years ago?
Curtis-Oh, ... they're all forgotten-dust to dust .
Drew (sleepingly)-Well ... there's Parson Braman ... there's Chandler and you can never forget the Boyntons (casting a sly glance toward George Boynton).
Boynton (looking up dreamingly and smiling)-Boyntonville ... Boynton- shire ... Boyntonview, Boy-
Drew-What's the matter with Drew ... Drewville ... Drewington? (all laugh heartily, repeating with scorn, Drew, Drew, Drew.)
Tenney (gravely)-We're a silly crew. ... Here we are at the point of winning the fight (and there was strong opposition to incorporation). Everybody wants his own name tacked on to the town. ... Call it anything you want, but call it something . .. and darn quick, too. ... Rowleyville, Rowleyview, Rowley Something. ... Rowley Woods, I guess.
Spofford (jumps up suddenly, looks first at one and then another)-We're plain fools ... hundreds of names ... everybody has one .... No wonder Rowley laughs and the remonstrants as well ... why, they say, call it Punkinville or Rube- town .. .. We got such a bad name outside that we might call it Rogueville. .. . Guess the old Parish better stay put ... if we fight over a mere name what's going to become of us running our own affairs. ... Let the Legislature decide . . .
Avery-Yes, pass it on ... we can make a shoe, run a tannery and make good cider ... but can't name ourselves.
Spofford (looking around the room and counting noses)-Why, even a woman can name her baby. .. . Here it is, boys, plain as day. (Nobody pays much attention, even as he points and pronounces the names of those present, George
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Drew, George Adams, George Chaplin, George Nelson, George Foot, George Avery, George Curtis, George Tenney, George Boynton, George Spofford, point- ing finally at himself).
Spofford-Don't you see it, boys? (All stare at Spofford and look search- ingly at each other.)
Spofford-George, George, George, George, George, George, George, George, George. ... GEORGETOWN.
The foregoing episode, in charge of Herbert H. Palmer, had the following cast: George Drew, Paul M. Meader; George Spofford, Forrest P. Hull; George Adams, William B. Rogers; George Chaplin, Arthur C. Russell; George Nelson, William T. Meader; George Foot, Frank J. Nally; George Avery, Elmer F. Porter; George Tenney, Robert F. Metcalf; George Boynton, Herbert H. Palmer.
"THE SPIRIT OF AMERICA"
The final scene was a tableau depicting "The Spirit of America." Miss America was portrayed by Miss Marian Williams, recent graduate of the Perley High School, who had as pages, Norma Quimby and Gloria Moore. They move to the center of the stage with an escort comprising four members of the American Legion, bearing national and state flags and their rifles. Miss America takes her stand flanked by guards, and the children's choir advances on either side to salute her, waving small flags. Miss America, holding aloft her torch, recites the following original appeal to the genius of our common country:
Hail to America! Land where Freedom
, Unfurled her Banner to the World And called to all oppressed that Here a Haven might be had from Tyrannies, from persecutions and from All the hordes of Prejudice That breed and wrack the Souls of Those who seek to worship freely At the throne of God- Hail, land of Plenty, land of Love, Where men can brothers be, nor Feel the hard dictator's lash Strike terror to the Soul; Where dreams spring out of hope And teach the heart to sing: Oh Native Land! My Native Land! God bless our native land!
Miss America then calls on the audience to recite the Pledge to the Flag. She lifts her torch at the signal for the Benediction by Rev. W. Irving Monroe, Jr., pastor of the First Congregational Church. At the close of the Benediction the audience sings "The Star Spangled Banner."
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Centennial Floats
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BUILDING CHARACTER
Thấy
SCOUTING
134580
MINCHIN ART
SERVICE
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Boy Scouts cooking an evening meal; "Old Nancy," as Young America revealed her; Minchin Art Service.
Page Seventy-seven
CENTENNIAL PARADE
PRIZE WINNERS
First (Civic): Protection Lodge, No. 147, I.O.O.F. Second (Civic): Bethany Rebekah Lodge, No. 105 Special Features-One Horse Shay: Mr. and Mrs. H. Nelson Pingree First (Industrial): Marston Shoe Company Second (Industrial): New England Bell Telephone Company, Local Office
G EORGETOWN had enjoyed few large demonstrations, either of meetings or par- ades in her history. Those in connection with the Old Home Week celebration in 1909 and the return of the soldiers from France are in memory, as well as the fre- quent political parades of the Nineties. Those of the Fifties, fantastic to a high degree, are naturally of record only. The parade of July 4, 1938, was probably the longest (being more than a mile long) and probably the most ambitious, varied and interesting, the town ever had.
It seemed as if the entire population of the town, augmented by thousands of visitors (perhaps five thousand), were on the streets along the more than two miles of the popular route. "Old Nancy" gave the signal for the start, a noise that must have been heard for miles. Two State troopers assisted the entire police forces of Georgetown and Groveland in handling the crowds.
The parade formed at the junction of Pleasant and North Streets and at ten o'clock swung into line, moving through Pond and Prospect Streets, thence down West Main Street into Pentucket Square and through East Main Street, Elm Street and Central Street to Pentucket Square again, and down North Street to the Perley High School grounds, where a circle was formed. The bands played and the prizes were awarded.
The parade was headed by Chief Marshal B. Harrison Tidd, a war veteran, wear- ing an old-time plug hat and characteristic clothing of 1838, and riding a spirited horse. The police, led by Chief Coleman P. Merrill, were followed by the Captain Leslie Wass Band of Gloucester, at the head of the Civic Division.
This division was headed by the Georgetown Fire Department, comprising the Central and Erie companies. Visitors, and perhaps numerous townsmen as well, must have been surprised at the showing. An out-of-town spectator remarked that the numerous pieces of apparatus reminded him of the display usually seen at a first-alarm fire in the business district of Boston.
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