USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Northborough > The Centennial celebration of the town of Northborough, Mass., August 22, 1866 > Part 3
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citing interest, on which there was much difference of opinion, it was " moved to pass over the article," thus leaving the whole matter to fall to the ground-not so much through any opposition or indifference to the celebration, as from the unfortunate circumstances above-mentioned.
The observance of this anniversary having generally been received as a foregone conclusion, and the previous action of the town having been circulated abroad and often referred to in letters to distant friends, it was a sore disappointment to many persons, both in town and out of it, to learn that the enterprise was abandoned ; and the desire was often ex- pressed that some kind of a celebration might yet be held. Accordingly, when the usual summer vacations in business brought travellers, visitors, and former residents to the place, these expressions culminated in the posting of an anonymous notice in the Post Office, to the following effect :
" The Citizens of this Town, and all others in favor of a celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of the Incorporation of Northborough, are invited to meet at the Vestry of the Orthodox Church, at 8 o'clock, on Monday evening, July 30, 1866."
This notice was also given from the pulpits of the several churches in town, the pastors of which evinced the warmest sympathy with the move- ment. The appointed time arrived, and a few persons-perhaps twenty in all-assembled. ANSON RICE, Esq., was appointed Chairman, and Rev. D. F. LAMSON, Secretary. Although the prospect of success, judg- ing from the number present, was not very flattering, the best of feeling prevailed, and a Committee, consisting of Rev. Dr. ALLEN, Rev. GEO. E. SANBORNE and Rev. D. F. LAMSON, was appointed to propose a plan for a Celebration. The meeting adjourned to meet at the same place on Thursday evening, August 2d, at which time the Committee reported in favor of August 22, 1866, as the day to be observed, and recommended the appointment of the following Committees, viz : A Committee to select an Orator and a Poet, a Committee to solicit Contributions, another on the Collation, another on Invitations, another on Music, and a general Committee of Arrangements. The meeting adjourned to Saturday eve- ning, August 4th, when the following Committees were appointed :
To select Orator and Poet-Rev. D. F. Lamson, Dr. J. J. Johnson and J. H. McIntyre.
On Solicitations-Hon. Milo Hildreth, Cyrus Gale, Jr., T. C. Woodward, John Stone, Joseph T. Fay.
On Invitations-Samuel Clark, Esq., G. H. Williams, A. W. Seaver, F. D. Bartlett, George G. Valentine.
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On Music-Anson Rice, Samuel J. Rice, Levi Stratton, Elijah Eddy, Jonas Bigelow.
On Collation-Jolm F. Newton, C. Gale, Jr., J. B. Crawford, Levi S. Thurston, E. W. Norcross, Mrs. G. C. Davis, Mrs. D. F. Lamson, Mrs. G. G. Valentine, Mrs. H. S. Fiske, Mrs. C. Gale, Mrs. S. Gib- son, Mrs. S. Clark, Mrs. W. Bush, Mrs Jno. Rice, Mrs. C. Gale, Jr., Miss Mary P. Brigham.
On Arrangements-Warren T. Bush, Milo Hildreth, Richard W. New- ton, William Maynard, Jolin Glazier, Eber Brewer, George Barnes, Samuel Wood, Jr., George L. Chesbro.
GEORGE C. DAVIS, Esq. was appointed President of the Day, and the following old citizens, Vice Presidents :- Hon. Cyrus Gale, Samnel Wood, Jeremiah Hunt, Holloway Bailey, Nathaniel Brigham, Lewis Fay, William Seaver, Jonathan Bartlett, Horace S. Fiske, Nathaniel Fisher, Wilder Bush.
Major WALTER GALE was appointed Chief Marshal, and Lieut. Asa B. Fay, Horace L. Peverly, F. E. Lovejoy, Nathaniel Randlett and Heury Kinney, Assistant Marshals.
Capt. ANSON RICE was appointed Toast Master, and Samnel I. Rice, Dr. Henry A. Jewett, Henry G. Colburn, William A. Bartlett, Tyler Harrington, John Johnson and Gilbert Heath were appointed to super- intend the procession of the Children of the Town.
At a subsequent meeting, Hon. Cyrus Gale was appointed Chairman of the Committee on Invitations, in place of Samuel Clark, Esq., who declined to serve, and Hon. Milo Hildreth Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements, in place of W. T. Bush, Esq., who also declined. Messrs. Abraham M. Brigham and Tyler Harrington were also added to the Committee on the Collation.
The preliminary arrangements having been perfected, the following letter of invitation was printed, and copies sent to all the natives and former residents of the town, whose address could be ascertained :
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
Northborough, Mass., Aug. 7, 1866.
DEAR SIR :- The Citizens of this place propose to hold a CENTENNIAL CELE- BRATION of the Incorporation of the Town, on WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1866.
The Procession will be formed at 103 o'clock, A. M., and the exercises will commence at 11 o'clock, in the First Congregational Church, when an Address will be delivered by the REV. DR. ALLEN, of this town, and a Poem by T. W. VALENTINE, of Brooklyn, N. Y., a native of the town.
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After the services in the Church, a free Collation will be furnished in a large tent by the citizens and ladies of the town, after which speeches, toasts, &c., will be given, and the afternoon spent in a social and agreeable manner. The Shrewsbury Band has been engaged, and the exercises in the Church and at the Collation will be interspersed with appropriate Vocal and Instrumental Music.
GEO. C. DAVIS, Esq., will officiate as President of the Day ; assisted by Hon. Cyrus Gale, Samuel Wood, Jeremiah Hunt, Holloway Bailey, Nathaniel Brigham, Lewis Fay, William Seaver, Jonathan Bartlett, Horace S. Fiske, and Nathaniel Fisher, Esquires, as Vice Presidents. Major WALTER GALE has been appointed Chief Marshal, and Hon. MILO HILDRETH, Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements.
It is hoped that, on this occasion, there will be a general Re-union of all the present and former residents and natives of the town now living, and a large gathering is confidently expected. You are cordially invited to be present.
In behalf of the Citizens of Northborough,
CYRUS GALE, ABRAHAM W. SEAVER,
GEORGE H. WILLIAMS, FRANKLIN D. BARTLETT,
GEORGE G. VALENTINE, Committee of Invitation.
Having thus shown the origin of the celebration, we will let the papers of the day give their version of the event as it transpired.
(From the Boston Journal, Aug. 23, 1866.) CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION AT NORTHBORO'.
The One Hundredth Anniversary of the Incorporation of the Town. PROCESSION, ADDRESS, POEM AND COLLATION.
The Centennial Anniversary of the Incorporation of the Town of Northboro', in Worcester county, took place yesterday, and was largely attended. For some weeks previous preparations had been made by the enterprising and public- spirited citizens, and on the appointed day abundant accommodation and refresh- ments were provided for the hundreds who flocked to the scene of their nativity and early childhood to enjoy the celebration of this, the first centennial anniver- sary of its existence. Fortunately the weather was all that could be wished. Providence seemed to smile upon the occasion, for during the night a light rain had laid all the dust, and the day was cooled by a fresh breeze which blew steadily till evening.
Northboro' is a town of some sixteen hundred inhabitants on the Agricul- tural Branch of the Boston and Worcester Railroad. At the station there are three churches, one hotel, several stores and manufactories, principally of shoes, combs and shell work. In this latter branch the people excel, and many of the New York dealers depend on this town for their supply of goods.
At sunrise yesterday morning the inhabitants were notified of the approach- ing festivities by a salute fired from Mount Assabet, a hill some two or three hundred feet high, near the station ; and when the morning trains arrived from
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Boston and other places, they brought a goodly number of passengers, besides bands and fire companies, which soon filled the streets, while the number who turned out from the adjacent towns in their private conveyances was not incon- siderable. As Northboro' is one of the five towns which once comprised Marl- boro', Northboro', Southboro', Westboro' and Hudson, all these towns were invited to participate in the celebration, and they sent their liberal contributions and quotas to honor the event.
THE PROCESSION.
About ten o'clock the procession commeneed forming at the Evangelical Congregational Church, under the direction of George C. Davis, Esq., President of the day, and Major Walter Gale, Chief Marshal, in the following order : Music; Eseort by the Fire Department ; President and Vice Presidents of the day ; Orator and Poet ; Invited Guests ; Town Officers ; Citizens of the Town ; North- bcro' Cadets ; Good Templars ; Children, etc. The procession marched to the First Congregational Church, where a large tent had been erected, and seats be- neath it had been prepared for upward of twelve hundred persons, and in an adjoining tent accommodations had been made for many more. Inside the tent, on the platform, were seats for the speakers selected for the oceasion, the choir selected from the village churches, which were carefully drilled for the occasion, the Shrewsbury and Westboro' bands of music, besides a large number of invited guests, whose age and public life entitled them to consideration. The speaker's desk was appropriately decorated with elegant bouquets.
THE EXERCISES.
At a few minutes after eleven the exercises commenced, and after a volun- tary by the bands, Mr. George C. Davis, President of the day, arose and made a few remarks, in which he congratulated the audience on their meeting at this the one hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of the town.
The choir then sang the anthem, " Wake the Song of Jubilee."
The invocation of the Divine Blessing was then pronounced by Rev. H. L. Myrick, and reading of the Scriptures by Rev. D. F. Lamson. Then followed the singing of a hymn, " Come Thou Almighty King."
While this exercise was going on a little incident occurred which was not laid down in the programme, and might have led to serious results. The wind blowing rather freshly just at this time, one of the poles which held up the centre of the tent suddenly snapped, causing a little alarm among the audience, but fortunately it was repaired by splicing and delayed the exercises only about half an hour.
Prayer was then offered by Rev. Geo. E. Sanborne, followed by a hymn from the choir.
THE ORATION.
Rev. Dr. Allen, who had been the pastor of the First Congregational Church for upward of fifty years, and had ministered to nearly two generations of his parishoners, then delivered the address.
[Here follows a report of the Address. ]
In conclusion he congratulated all who had come to visit the old homestead, on the arrival of this long-expected day, and now that the town had entered upon
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the second century of its corporate existence, the termination of which none of the audience would live to witness, he prayed that it might find the same pros- perous and virtuous community.
A hymn was then sung by the choir : "O, Lord, our fathers oft have told." Then followed a poem by Thos. W. Valentine of Brooklyn, N. Y., a native of Northboro'. His production was replete with good sense, wit and interesting reminiscences of the past, and was unanimously pronounced a good thing.
The regular exercises were closed by singing an original hymn, written for the occasion by Jairus Lincoln, Esq., and the Doxology.
THE COLLATION.
Then followed next in order the collation, which did great credit to the Committee of Arrangements. To provide a suitable collation for an audience of 2500 guests is no easy matter, but it was done to the perfect satisfaction of all present, and the order and system with which all the arrangements were carried out showed their good taste.
THE REGULAR TOASTS.
The first regular toast - " The day we celebrate" -- was responded to by the Band.
The second -- " The town of Northboro', a healthy town : She enters upon the second century of her career progressive and hopeful"-was responded to by Hon. Isaac Davis of Worcester, who stated that he felt exceedingly gratified to meet his friends on this occasion. The history of towns was but the history of the Commonwealth, the history of the country. Regarding the higher elements which make a town, Northboro' stands in the front rank. The county of Wor- cester-as large as the State of Rhode Island or Delaware --- out of fifty-eight Governors which this State has had, has furnished six, and Northboro' came in for one-sixth of this honor ; and for the number of Senators for the State Senate it also stands in the front rank. In looking at national affairs it is seen that she has furnished two Senators for the United States Senate, and of the twelve Repre- sentatives in Congress from the county, Northboro' has sent two. In educational matters she occupies the same preeminence. In money raised for the education .of children, she ranks the fifth town in the State ; in children who attend school, the second in the county. In every department of professional life, her sons are found. Her ministers preach in twenty-five States of the Union, besides Europe and Asia. Her sons have adorned the legal profession, and in many of the West- ern States they are found. He stated that his grandfather was once chosen a delegate to the General Court, with instructions to vote for exterminating the lawyers ; and what has been the result? 'Twelve of his descendants have been lawyers-more than all his constituents produced. He appealed to those who should live here the coming century to imitate the virtue, perseverance and in- dustry of those who have preceded them. In the future, as in the past, North- boro' will show a brilliant record.
In response to the toast, "Our free schools and teachers," Mr. Thomas W. Valentine made some very happy remarks, and alluded to " Old Father Green- leaf," the well known teacher, who used to say that he had educated a good many Congressmen, several who had been in the State Prison, five who had been hung and several more who ought to be. The speaker had no such record as that. He
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stated that all the success which had attended his efforts as teacher he owed to the orator, Dr. Allen.
Wm. S. Davis, Esq., made an eloquent address, in response to the toast : " The memory of Isaac Davis, the father of a family whose name is legion."
A response was also made by Wm. Seaver, one of the old scholmasters, who made some interesting remarks on the state of education in former days. He stated that he once taught school in Quincy and became acquainted with John Adams, who often spoke on the duty of teachers, and especially of parents, to take an interest in the education of their children, and remarked that education, liberty and independence were inseparable.
Responses were also made by Capt. John C. Wyman of Troy, N. Y., Rev. Mr. Mayo of Cincinnati, Ohio, Rev. Joseph II. Allen, and Major Walter Gale. The latter spoke in response to a toast, " To the memory of those who had enlisted from Northboro' and those who had fallen in the war." Major Gale made some sincere and eloquent remarks on this topic, stating that in his regiment the Northboro' men were always found at their post and bore an honorable record. On this topic a more worthy person than Major Gale could not have been found to respond, for he enlisted early in the war, and during a service of four years, in all the campaigns in Virginia, saw and participated in every battle in which his regiment -- the 15th Massachusetts -- was engaged.
Thus closed one of the most interesting exercises which the County of Wor- cester has witnessed for many a day. It was a complete success, without any accident to mar the pleasure of the guests. At sundown as the train left for Boston, another salute was fired from Mount Assabet, and the festivities of the day were supplemented by a ball at the Assabet House.
[From the Boston Herald, August 23, 1866. ] CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION AT NORTHBOROUGH.
The usually quiet town of Northborough presented a scene of excitement yesterday, the occasion being the Centennial celebration of the incorporation of the town. Northborough is situated about thirty-five miles west of Boston, on the Agricultural Branch of the Boston and Worcester Railroad, and is located in one of the most beautiful portions of the State, through which the river Assabet flows, nourishing the soil in its course, and affording power to many factories and mills. Two hundred years ago a paper, signed by thirteen persons, was presented to the General Court, petitioning for a tract of land eight miles square for the purpose of establishing a plantation, the lands of the petitioners being inadequate to their increasing wants. The petition was granted, with the pro- viso that if within three years the plantation did not number twenty families the plantation would be confiscated, and Thomas Danforth was appointed to lay out the bounds of the place.
The plantation flourished, and emigration from the neighboring settlements gradually increased its population until 1746, when the first church was estab- lished under the pastorship of Rev. John Martyn. The place, however, did not not attain the dignity of a town until 1766, when it was incorporated as such. The town is noted for the longevity of its inhabitants, many of whom have lived to a good old age, and at present there are fifty persons in the
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town whose ages are over three score years and ten. The town is also noted for its interest in public schools, and in matters relating to education generally, and has furnished many teachers to different cities and towns throughout New England. Northborough bore an honorable part in the Revolution, as it also did in the late war, having furnished, out of a population of 1600 inhabitants, 139 men for the armies of the Union, 21 of whom died in defence of their country. The town at present boasts of three churches. A new town hall is soon to be built, in which a public town library will be established.
As before stated, this centennial celebration of the incorporation of the town occurred yesterday, and many of the old towns-people from abroad, as well as inany inhabitants from the different villages and towns in the immediate vicinity were present to witness and take part in the exercises.
The observance of the day was commenced in the morning, when a salute was fired from the summit of Mount Assabet. At 102 o'clock a procession was formed at the Evangelical Congregational Church, under the supervision of Major Walter Gale, and marched to the First Congregational Church in the following order :-
Chief Marshal, Major Walter Gale.
Westboro' Band.
Assabet Hook and Ladder Company of Northborough, 35 members, in uni- form, Henry Kenny, Foreman.
Union Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 of Marlborough, 40 men in uniform, Frank Marshal, Foreman.
Inhabitants of the Town and Invited Guests, numbering about 1000.
Shrewsbury Band.
Northborough Cadets.
Assabet Lodge of Good Templars, numbering 100, under the marshalship of Milo Hildreth, Esq., with a banner bearing the inscription " Union," "Raise the Fallen."
Spring Hill Lodge of Good Templars of Marlborough, 50 in number, C. M. Howe, Marshal.
Children of the town, numbering about 300.
Upon the arrival of the procession outside the church, the different societies and citizens generally passed into a large tent, which had been erected for the occasion, where the exercises were held.
After a voluntary by the band, the assemblage' was called to order by George C. Davis, Esq., President of the Day, and the anthem "Wake the Song of Jubilee," was then sung. An invocation, reading of the Scriptures, prayer and singing, followed, after which an historical address was delivered by Rev. Dr. Allen. The orator gave an elaborate history of the town from its first settlement until the present day, and was listened to with deep attention throughout. Another hymn was then sung, after which an original poem was read by Thomas W. Valentine, Esq., of Brooklyn, N. Y., which was very humerous and interest- ing. The regular services were closed with a benediction.
A bountiful collation was then partaken of in the tent, and when the gusta- tory exercises were concluded, order was again called by Mr. Davis, who intro- duced as toastmaster Anson Rice, Esq.
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The first regular toast, "The Day We Celebrate," was responded to by the band. The second toast, "The Town of Northborough," drew a brief but elo- quent response from Hon. Isaac Davis of Worcester. "Our Free Schools" was responded to by Thomas W. Valentine, Esq. "The Memory of Isaac Davis," by William S. Davis, Esq. "The Sturdy Yeomanry," by John C. Wyman, and other toasts by different gentlemen.
A motion to adjourn the meeting for one hundred years was then adopted, and the citizens generally retired to their homes. The arrangements for the celebration were in charge of a Committee, of which Hon. Milo Hildreth was Chairman, and under their management it proved a complete success.
[From the Worcester Gazette.] CENTENNIAL.
THE CELEBRATION AT NORTHBOROUGH.
SUCH an event as occurred yesterday comes but once in a lifetime to the inhabitants of a town, viz : its Centennial Celebration, and the denizens of the quiet little borough of Northborough determined to celebrate the day with appro- priate exercises. Those who had been absent for a long period from their old home, now returned, and very cordial and affecting were the greetings of old friends which we witnessed. "They came from East, West, North, and South, and sat down together," and many were the old scenes reviewed, and past events recalled, as the company assembled in the homes of their childhood, with their friends of school-boy days. A salute was fired from Mt. Assabet at sunrise, which awoke every one to the unwonted enjoyments of the day. The early trains brought persons from the neighboring towns, and many came with teams, so that by 9 A. M., the town wore a very lively look. The Assabet House was gaily deco- rated, and the streets through which the procession was to pass were crowded with flags.
At 10 A. M., the ringing of the church bells and the booming of cannon an- nounced the time for the procession to form, which took place from the Evan- gelical Congregational Church. * * *
It was estimated that at least 1600 persons were in the procession. The route lay past the Baptist Church, the procession extending the entire length of Main street. The different organizations represented presented a fine appear- ance, as they filed past. The tent was intended to accommodate about 800 per- sons, but there were nearly 2000 people in and around the tent, for every place within hearing was occupied. The meeting was called to order by the President, Geo. C. Davis, Esq., who welcomed the assembled people in a few appropriate words to this centennial gathering. * * ¥ * # *
A vote of thanks was then given to the Orator and Poet of the day, after which Capt. Cyrus Gale moved that " this meeting adjourn till 100 years from this day at 11 o'clock in the morning," which was carried, and the meeting de- clared adjourned. The years will roll on one by one into the lap of Time, and all of that vast assembly will have passed across the crystal tide, and when another century has gone doubtless there will be another such meeting and as
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civilization stops not for us weary mortals, it will probably be on a more magnifi- cent occasion, but we will wager a no better time than was enjoyed yesterday at the Northborough Centennial.
1778998
[From the Massachusetts Spy, Worcester, August 23, 1866.] CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY AT NORTHBORO'.
Ilistorical Address of Rev. Dr. Allen.
INTERESTING REMINISCENCES.
The citizens of Northboro', native and adopted, with a large number of sons and daughters who have wandered from the old homesteads, united yesterday in celebrating the one hundredth anniversary of its incorporation as an independent municipality. The records and traditions of settlement extend backward over two hundred years-first as a part of the town of Marlboro', afterwards as a parish in the town of Westboro'. But its name and seperate municipal history date from the 21th of January, 1766. The day appointed for the celebration proved every way delightful, and it is scarcely extravagant to say that thousands of descendants of the old Northboro' families shared in its centennial festivities.
The exercises began at sunrise, when a salute was fired from the top of Mt. Assabet. The citizens and invited guests assembled at ten o'clock in front of the Evangelical Congregational Church, where a procession was formed under the direction of the Chief Marshal, Major Walter Gale,-subsequently joined by the Northboro' Cadets, the Independent Order of Good Templars, and the Children of the town. The Fire Department furnished the escort, and the music was sup- plied by the Shrewsbury and Westboro' bands. The procession was conducted to the spacious tent erected at the side of the First Congregational Church, on the spot where the original meeting-house stood.
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