USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Longmeadow > Proceedings at the centennial celebration of the incorporation of the town of Longmeadow, October 17th, 1883 > Part 11
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Mr. Storrs, with that happy facility of speech and fitness of illustration which characterized his chairmanship throughout the festival, introduced the orator of the day as " The Reverend John Williams Harding,-a lineal descendant in spirit, if there ever was one, of the Reverend John Williams of Deerfield." Then the pastor of Longmeadow for a third of a century stood forth to tell his townsmen, the returning children of the town, and all its friendly visitors besides, of the history of the Longmeadow. Mr. Hard- ing did not need an introduction to his, hearers,-or certainly to very few of them,-nor does he need an introduction to the Republican's readers, who * have known him so long and so well. He stood on that platform a rare embodiment of the best qualities of the old New England ministry,-the friend, counselor, and teacher of the whole community, no less in his life
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than in the pulpit, and his address caught all the salient features of their notable and representative history, presenting them in an address which, though covering two hours, was so excellent in material, so judiciously wrought, so artistically broken at the right points by freshening humor, so finely informed with the central idea of illustrating the township basis of our republic, and so eloquently rounded with eulogy of the New England char- acter,-that no hearer was wearied, but all were delighted to the very end. Mr. Harding's clear and resonant voice, his unlabored but effective rhetoric, his cordial glance and entire appreciation of the points of his discourse,-all won to him the hearts of his hearers. Long though it was, they would have been glad to hear him still longer.
The collation immediately followed Mr. Harding's address, while music by Little's band of this city enlivened the moments, as it had done at inter- vals before, besides their accompaniment of the singing. The band in their red coats and with their gleaming brasses furnished the note of color in the tent that way, as well as in their performance, which was always very good and much enjoyed. The collation was as perfectly managed as anything could be. The visitors were not invited to scramble for food at long tables, but the towns-people themselves provided the most attentive and gentle of waiters. who brought the thousands their food as they sat on their seats, and fed them generously and well. The occasion was one of a hundred at least, for this one thing-the perfect skill, tact, and readiness with which its participants were refreshed. This eating time was also a season of social reunion : seats were left and friends hunted up, and a delightful interchange of pleasant comment and remembrance went on while the band played and the people ate. After a while the players upon instruments likewise ate, and nobody noticed that the music had stopped, they were so busy talking. The old grave-yard was visited, where Parson Stephen Williams' mortal dust reposes beneath a monumental table, and the spacious green was ram- bled over; people went to see the parsonage, the Storrs' house, and Mr. Cordis' noble two-year-old colt ; and so they were ready when tattoo was beat, and the tentful came to order to listen to the charming poem of W. E. Boies, with whom also the Republican's readers are well acquainted. The poet delivered his fluent verses in an excellent fashion, with spirit and force.
The post-prandial flood-gates now were open, and a great many speakers worth hearing were announced by President Storrs. The first was Rev. Aaron M. Colton, one of the numerous Colton family of Longmeadow, as he proceeded to inform the audience in one of the wittiest of disquisitions on family characteristics ; which, if reported ever so faithfully, would lose much from default of the rich humoristic appreciation of the speaker him- self. There was much laughter among the audience while this went on,- and a good deal of it might be presumed to have come from where knots of Coltons were gathered, for the name is numerous in Longmeadow still. The next speaker strongly contrasted Mr. Colton, for the aged Mrs.
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Schauffler came forward to say a special word that was borne in upon her mind. Her tall, slender, venerable figure, her fine, serious, intellectual face, with deep, vivid eyes beneath a crinkled wave of white hair, won instant admiration, which her affectionate address of mingled reminiscence and missionary appeal soon deepened into loving respect. Woman was cer- tainly worthily represented upon the Longmeadow platform.
Rev. Dr. Richard Salter Storrs of Brooklyn, grandson and namesake of the second Longmeadow pastor, was next introduced. Dr. Storrs makes a strong figure on the platform. Good height, broad chest, sturdy limbs, large and shapely head, a healthy, ruddy complexion, a swift and keen though not large gray eye, side-whiskers, and a magnificent manner,-these equip one of the great orators of our day. The first and indeed the largest part of his speech was devoted to that ministerial story-telling which is the perfection of the art. No other sort of men can tell so many and so good stories and with so adept a skill, as ministers,-and Dr. Storrs did credit to the profes- sion. But from this pleasant persiflage Dr. Storrs launched into a stream of splendid eloquence concerning Longmeadow,-the typical New England village, and the influences which have made it such, . . . . closing with a glowing eulogy on the excellences of the town as a select and favored refuge.
That eminent pillar of old New England orthodoxy, Edwards A. Park, so long professor at Andover Seminary, was next introduced by President Storrs with the observation that Rev. John Williams, father of Rev. Stephen, was educated wholly by the liberality of William Park of Roxbury, whence it appeared that the entire culture of the Williams family, so far as Long- meadow was concerned, was due to a Park. Prof. Park's address was a second notable example of the clerical penchant for anecdotes. The memo- rabilia which he uttered in that short speech of his would set up a corps of story-tellers for a week, and he ought to jot down and publish his store of such delightful contes. . . The speaker told many stories with brilliant ability, but with an unmoved face,-looking with his spare, clean-shaven face, strong, thin jaw, and sunken blue eyes,-the incarnation of Edwardsian logic, severity, and purity. He closed with a fit eulogy on the New England ministry.
There were many interesting speakers as the afternoon went on,-Rev. Charles R. Bliss, Rev. Dr. Wolcott (who, it is understood, is soon to become a resident of the village), Rev. W. W. Leete of Ridgefield, Conn., and others ; but the waning hours prevented the calling up of all who had been announced. .. .. The speech of Judge W. S. Shurtleff, as the representa- tive of Springfield, the mother of " Mother Longmeadow " herself, concluded the abundant but not for a moment tedious exercises of the centennial day. They ended with a singing of "Auld Lang Syne," with a slightly adapted version of Burns. In the evening the young people held a reception in the big tent for a general jollification, and had a very pleasant time. Long- meadow from first to last did herself thorough credit.
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[From the Springfield Daily Union, Oct. 17, 1883.]
If, when last August the day was finally fixed for Longmeadow's Centen- nial Celebration, the rare beauty of last week Wednesday could have been foreseen, doubtless it would have been selected as the day, despite the more exact coincidence of the 17th, with the governor's signature to the act of town incorporation in 1783. Any one who, on that Wednesday of almost oppressive beauty and mildness, had driven through Longmeadow street, and especially through its meadow bright with a thousand tints of brilliant or mellow beauty, could have hardly imagined the change which two days of rain and wind would make in all that beauty. Yet, though less beautiful to the eye on this the centennial day than a week earlier, Longmeadow's welcome to the hosts of incoming guests has been no whit less warm. The bright October skies and the crisp bracing air were favorable for comfort and enjoyment, and old Mother Longmeadow is to be congratulated upon the propitious weather for this centennial occasion. From east and west, from north and south, by team, by train, by bicycles, and on foot, the townsmen and guests of the day poured into the place till it almost seemed as if even the broad street itself, extending from Pecowsic to Enfield, would be too strait for their accommodation. The tent pitched for the accommodation of the public exercises stood on historic ground, occu- pying the site where for so long stood the village church. Near by is the church with the pastor's study filled with historical relics, the Storrs home- stead, a century old, with furniture that has been in use for 200 years, choice and dainty china, etc., and on either side the hospitable homes of the descendants of the men and women who wrested Longmeadow from the primeval forest and have made it one of the most beautiful and typical of New England villages.
And right here it should be said that the town of Longmeadow is a most illustrious and conspicuous example of the permanent influence of com- manding personal character. Especially is this true of the men who have been the pastors of the village church. Rev. Stephen Williams, son of Rev. John Williams, of Deerfield, and himself carried into Canada as a cap- tive, was the first pastor, and went in and out before the people from 1715 to 1782. A graduate of Harvard, Parson Williams represented the best New England culture of that time, and his infinite patience, wisdom, and tact in the instruction and management of his parish rendered his formative influence in that community important and indelible. The diary of Parson Williams is a wonderful revelation of the force of his character and depth of his spiritual life, and is a rich mine of historical fact and incident. Next to him came Rev. Richard Salter Storrs, a graduate of Yale and the husband of Parson Williams's granddaughter. His pastorate extended from 1785 to 1819, and strengthened and deepened the influence of his honored predeces- sor, and gave the town an anchorage in solid character from which it has never departed nor sought to depart. From 1820 to 1850 there were
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four short but quite distinguished pastorates, those of Rev. Baxter Dickin- son of Amherst, Rev. Jonathan B. Condit of Hanover, N. H., Rev. Hubbard Beebe, now living in New York, and Rev. Dr. Samuel Wolcott, now of Cleveland, O. Messrs. Dickinson and Condit were called from Longmeadow to fill professors' chairs. Rev. Mr. Harding's pastorate, begun in 1850, has flowed on in unruffled serenity for thirty-four years, and strengthens in use- fulness and promise as the years advance. Mr. Harding has thoroughly identified himself with the town in all its interests, and in courtesy and tact has shown himself a worthy successor of the first pastor of the village.
The tent pitched on the green in front of the church was furnished with settees and chairs in sufficient abundance to amply accommodate the 2,000 people or more who listened to the speaking with took place from a raised platform at the east side. On the side of the tent directly opposite the speakers' stand stood forth in bold letters and figures the inscription
1644. WELCOME. 1883.
1783.
The large audience was a striking one, and listened most attentively throughout to catch every word of the speakers, - the old people especially who occupied seats in close proximity to the speakers' platform. The faces of many Springfield people could be discerned sprinkled about through the large audience, among others Rev. Mr. Simons of the Florence street church, Judge W. S. Shurtleff, Rev. Dr. Rice, and Maj. Ingersoll. Managing Editor Hubbard of the Hartford Courant also occupied a seat in the audience. The forenoon exercises were of great interest and excel- lence, and are reported elsewhere. The afternoon was devoted to speeches of reminiscence and congratulation ; but the time was far too short for all there was to be said. President Storrs, personating Mother Longmeadow in his address of welcome, called up Rev. Dr. A. M. Colton of Easthampton to speak for the numerous family to which he belongs, and right wittily did he respond. Then came Mrs. William G. Schauffler, the venerable widow of the honored and revered missionary, Prof. Park of Andover, one of whose ancestors was instrumental in sending Parson Williams' father to college, and Rev. Dr. Storrs of Brooklyn. Other names on President Storrs' list when our reporter left the tent were Rev. Charles R. Bliss, Rev. Hubbard Beebe, Rev. Mr. Wolcott, Rev. Mr. Leete, Rev. Dr. Dorus Clark, and Judge Shurtleff. There were so many speakers and they had so much that was interesting to say that the hours sped away all too fast, but everybody agreed that the occasion had been one of the rarest interest.
It was remarked as a fine instance of journalistic enterprise that copies of the Union containing the above, and reports of the forenoon addresses and poem, were on sale at the tent before the close of the afternoon exercises.
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From the Hartford Courant, Oct. 18, 1883.
A beautiful October day, a well arranged programme of exercises, and a well-planned and a well-carried-out scheme in every detail, all helped to make the Longmeadow centennial celebration, yesterday, one of the most enjoyable celebrations of its kind we have known in these days of centennial celebrations. A large tent was spread in the center of the beautiful, wide, old green, on the site of the original church edifice, which accommodated 2,500 people, among them many who had come from far away to join with the present dwellers in their native place in the celebration of the one hun- dredth anniversary of the organization of the town. There were naturally many pleasant meetings of old friends and acquaintances, and many happy family reunions. Quite a number of Hartford people who are in some way allied to Longmeadow families, or who came by virtue of the invitation extended to the sons and daughters of Longmeadow and to "every friend to you or herself allied," were present. Among these were Seth Talcott, wife and daughter ; Prof. Pratt, of the Theological Seminary, and wife ; Misses Julia B. and Katherine Burbank, Miss Goldthwait, Howard H. Keep, Miss Keep, daughter of the Rev. John R. Keep, a descendant of the early settlers ; Prof. Robert Keep (now of Easthampton, Mass.), Richard S. Burt, George D. Bartlett, and others.
The formal exercises of the day in the large tent commenced about half- past ten o'clock, Prof. R. S. Storrs, of the American Asylum in this city, being the president of the day. The exercises of the day opened with Old Hundred by the assembly, led by Little's band of Springfield, followed by Scripture reading by the Rev. A. I. Dutton, of East Longmeadow, prayer by the Rev. Dr. Samuel Wolcott, of Cleveland, Ohio, and a commemorative hymn by Dr. Wolcott.
Then followed the " Address of Welcome " by the president of the day, Prof. Richard S. Storrs, of this city. He commenced by reading the quaint invitation of "Mother Longmeadow" to her children, which has already been printed in the Courant, and following out the mythological idea of such motherhood as a basis, made an address exceedingly graceful and appro- priate ; assuming in part to use the words whispered to him by the dear Earth Mother, "in stream, and grove, and rustling field." The address was not alone graceful in language, but was delivered with a refinement of speech, and with a grace and appropriateness of gesture, which indicated that famil- iarity with the "sign language" taught at the institution with which Prof. Storrs has been so long connected admirably fits one for effective presen- tation of thoughts and ideas in the pulpit or upon the platform. (The thought occurs that a study of the sign language by those whose professions require much public speaking may be as important as some other branches of study.) The address, in its happy conception and in its language, might in some measure be appropriately made to children of other beautiful towns in the lovely Connecticut valley.
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A Centennial Hymn, written by Prof. Storrs, and recited by him after the address of welcome with the same grace of elocution and gesture that characterized the welcome was sung to the tune, " Missionary Chant."
The historical address was delivered by the Rev. John W. Harding, pas- tor of the Longmeadow Congregational church. This, also, was a model production for such an occasion. It was stripped of tedious details of sta- tistics, and was full of well-painted pictures of the life and experience of the early settlers, of incidents which showed the character of the people, their struggles through the early days of the settlement, and up to the time of the incorporation of the town, 100 years ago. The close attention of the audi- ence was held throughout. This address also was admirably delivered.
An intermission followed this address, during which a bountiful collation was served to the large assembly as they were seated in the large tent. In the afternoon a poem was read by Mr. William E. Boies, of Long- meadow, and a hymn by Mr. Boies was sung to the tune of "America." The afternoon was occupied by addresses by various distinguished speakers, more or less intimately related to the town, all of great interest ; .. but the waning hours of the afternoon prevented the calling out of some of the gentlemen whose names had been announced. The exercises closed with the singing of " Auld Lang Syne," followed by the doxology and the benediction. It was a happy day for all present, and this celebration was in all respects highly creditable to the residents of the town who conceived it and carried it out so well.
The Congregationalist, Oct. 25, 1883.
The past week has witnessed another notable commemorative occa- sion, the centennial of Longmeadow, equally successful in its way with the quarter-millennial anniversary of the First church of Hartford, the week before. We remember no two occasions of the sort which, on the whole, have been made so rich in interest and instruction, with so little drawback of any sort. Dr. Walker seems to have untied some of the toughest old knots of New England history in a complete way, making plain English of what has baffled two centuries. And Mr. Harding's singularly graphic-he called them, and did not overname them, photo-graphic-sketches, bringing out the salient points and the remarkable men of that lovely river town, were as successful and instructive in their elaboration as they were original and striking in their conception. We are proud to number such historical scholars- at once so accurate in detail and so broad in scope-among the Con- gregational ministers of our generation.
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C .- LETTERS FROM INVITED GUESTS.
BOSTON, October 16, 1883.
Messrs. JOHN W. HARDING, RICHARD S. STORRS, OLIVER WOLCOTT, and others, Committee on Longmeadow Centennial :
GENTLEMEN : I have delayed answering your kind invitation to be pres- ent at the celebration of Longmeadow's one hundredth birthday until the last moment, hoping that the state of my health would permit my replying in person. I may not call myself a son of Longmeadow, but I may perhaps claim the title of a grandson of your beautiful town, for my father, Dr. John Bliss Stebbins, was born there in 1802, and received his earliest education there at the hands of his uncles, Drs. John and Oliver Bliss; for the latter of whom I am named.
Longmeadow is, I believe, entitled to be called the first child of the State of Massachusetts ; that is, the first town organized after the signing of the Treaty of Peace, Sept. 3, 1783, had made the State and the country legally and indisputably, as well as practically free and independent. Allow me, gentlemen, while thanking you for your polite remembrance of me, to pro- pose, if it is proper, as a sentiment, the motto of the society of which I am a member-" In Memoriam Majorum."
Yours very gratefully, OLIVER BLISS STEBBINS.
SPRINGFIELD, Oct. 13, 1883.
Rev. J. W. HARDING, R. S. STORRS, OLIVER WOLCOTT, and others, Longmeadow Centennial Committee :
GENTLEMEN : I regret that I cannot, in my present state of health, take the part in the exercises of your Centennial which you have proposed to assign to me, and I fear that the same cause may debar me from the privi- lege of attending the Celebration at all.
I regret this exceedingly, because, from the first, I have counted upon visiting Longmeadow on that occasion and uniting with my cousins, the Blisses, the Coltons, the Cooleys, and others, in celebrating the virtues of our common ancestors.
Many of our forefathers and foremothers were remarkable specimens, physically and morally, of manhood and womanhood. It is related of Samuel Bliss, one of the number, that he was a man of great physical powers. He died in 1749 at the age of 102 years. His son John lived to be 94, and his grandson, the Hon. John of Wilbraham, to be 82.
[These statements of Judge Morris seem to find some corroboration in the follow- ing extract from the Springfield Records .- Ens.
" John Bliss is by grant of the plantation possessed of that Part of the Pond in the Longmeadow at the Rear of the Lott he purchased of Anthony Dorchester and is of Like Breadth with the said Lott, and runs to the foot of the great hill Eastward. Registered April 6, 1682. PELATIAH BLISS, Town Clerk."]
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Quartermaster George Colton, an early settler, was the ancestor of all the Coltons in this region. His name was one of considerable prominence both in Church and State. In 1656 he was on a committee with Pynchon and the two deacons to supply the Springfield pulpit. In 1671 he represented the town in the General Court. About the same time he was one of a com- mittee that laid out the town of Suffield. Late in life, after the death of his first wife, he became the fourth and final husband of Lydia, the daughter of Deacon Wright.
So far as I know, these ancestors of whom I have spoken, were reputa- ble men. I have never heard that any of them was ever charged with any offence, except one George Colton, a son or grandson of the quartermaster. That young man went out to Brookfield to hear the farewell sermon of Rev. Mr. Smith, and his conduct there was so flagrant that the grand jury of the old County of Hampshire indicted him. According to the Court record the charge was that on that occasion "he expressed himself in an Extravagant and Romancing manner relating to Deacon Gilbert's setting the psalm." For this he was admonished by the Court of General Sessions in May, 1723, and discharged upon paying costs. Yours with great respect,
HENRY MORRIS.
ORANGE, N. J., 22 Sept., 1883.
To Mr. R. S. STORRS, Secretary Longmeadow Centennial Committee :
MY DEAR COUSIN : Let me thank you for this very kind invitation just received to unite with the sons and daughters of Longmeadow in celebrat- ing her Centennial next month.
It is with extreme regret that I am compelled to decline its acceptance. But the Synod of New Jersey is to meet on that very day with my church here, and I cannot be absent. I trust you will convey this explanation to the committee, with assurances of my sincere sorrow that I cannot share in what I am sure will be a most delightful occasion.
Beyond this, however, I recognize the claim of the fair town by the "long meadow" upon my filial devotion on such a day. For from her bosom and her still religious life, and all the benign influences flowing from that, my father came forth to his work, the man that he was. That was a kind Providence which set Longmeadow as the home of his childhood. The solemn earnestness of his nature found fit environment in the tranquil silences that brooded all atmospheres for him in these early years. Quiet strength, invincible stability, ripe thoughts, convictions, love ; that divine unfolding of humanity toward which we are looking, but which for most of us comes only after long conflict-all seemed to mature rapidly in him under the gracious influences of his childhood's home. He went forth to a great work when scarcely more than a child, yet fitted for it. More than many, then, I have reason for bringing an offering to these services of grateful commemoration.
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Almost a sacred duty, too, it seems that I should come at such a time to join with so many others in the loving greetings that will be showered upon dear " Aunt Eunice," now sole survivor of that large group of brothers and sisters cradled in the old Parsonage,-the only representative to us of that . vanished generation.
As these and other tender memories will consecrate the day for those who shall gather to it, shall we not all the more reverently adore the God, and religiously maintain the faith that has made Longmeadow what it is, and its history the record of so many saintly lives.
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