USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Warren > Western 1741-1834, Warren 1834-1891, Massachusetts. An account of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of the town of Warren, September 7, 1891, including the founding and growth of a New-England town > Part 4
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Button and two sizes of spoon moulds.
Wooden candlestick used by Humanity Lodge of Masons in Brimfield, ISII.
Wooden plate used by Moses Weld one hundred years ago. He was born in Sturbridge, 1757, and was great- grandfather of Dr. W. H. Stowe of Palmer.
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Spanish coin, 1717; Spanish coin, 1738; pine-tree shilling, 1652 ; Moorish coin, 1279.
MRS. E. P. CUTTER AND DR. J. C. CUTTER. - Eng- lish chair, Queen Anne style, 1684; chair, 1768; tea- spoon, Mayflower pattern, 1638; teaspoon, made from groom's knee and shoe buckles, 1768; teaspoon, wed- ding gift. IS05; bride's stocking-bag, embroidered in colored crewels, 1768 ; infant's baptismal cap, linen, 1771 ; infant's dress, 1819; sampler ; deed of land on the sum- mit of Coy's Hill, 1727 : John Dearborn's powder-horn used at Ticonderoga, made in 175S : cannon-ball, hand- made, thrown by the Confederates at the Battle of Roanoke ; cannon-ball made from types of " The Herald of Freedom." which was thrown into the Kansas River in 1855 during the sacking of Lawrence; field-glass used by Mrs. Cutter in Kansas, loaned to John Brown, and taken from him at Harper's Ferry (it was returned by Colonel Lewis Washington in exchange for the horse- pistols given by Lafayette to General Washington) ; specimen of red clay from which the Indians fashion their " pipes of peace ; " pocket-compass that guided the escaped John Brown's men to the North.
'MRS. IRA WHITE. - Plate, 150 years old.
MISS MARIA REED. - Platter, knife, and fork.
MR. H. B. CARPENTER .- Old coin found on Steerage Rock, Brimfield.
MISS FANNIE J. BEMIS. - Sampler.
MR. RUSSELL GLEASON. - Wooden plate ; wooden shovel and fork ; wooden plough ; broad-axe, 150 years old ; pewter platter.
MRS. ANDREW STONE. - Two Bibles, 100 years old ; two' singing-books ; work-bag ; razor.
MR. NEWELL GLEASON. - Pewter platter ; pewter por- ringer ; pitcher owned by his grandmother.
MRS. J. C. FREEMAN. - Chair, 150 years old; two wine-glasses ; pitcher ; decanter, 100 years old.
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JOHN LAWRENCE. - Indian relics ; bottle.
D. K. LINCOLN, WEST BROOKFIELD. - Several hun dred Indian arrows. spears, and implements, from one of the finest private collections in the State.
MR. E. A. DAY. - The Marsh family Bible, 1775; the Putnam family Bible, 1795; cook-book ; spelling- book, Nathan Day's, 1768; table and two chairs, four pewter platters, and a porringer, belonging to the wed- ding outfit of Mrs. Nathan Day, 1790; sword carried by Mr. Lyman Day when appointed captain of a company of militia by Governor Levi Lincoln in 1826; rapier be- longing to Captain Josiah Putnam, 1780; stockings from flax raised, hatchelled, spun, and knit by members of the family ; canteen used in War of IS12 ; lantern, 1780 ; almanacs, 1793-1891 ; silver tea service belonging to Mrs. Dolly Howe, ISI4 ; ancient glassware, six pieces ; silver spoons belonging to Mrs. Nathan Day, 1790; china saucer, 1784; warming-pan ; two profiles, 1823 ; Indian relic.
MRS. A. L. CONVERSE. - Christening blanket, IIO years old.
MRS. H. E. SYLVESTER .- Chair 200 years old, Queen Elizabeth style; foot-stove; two pewter platters; two pewter plates ; woollen blanket ; three books ; sampler. '
MRS. E. A. WARRINER. - Pewter platter ; pewter plates ; pewter porringer ; bed-linen spun and woven by Mrs. Eunice Allen, born in 1772 ; Book of Psalms, 1757 ; Book of Martyrs, 1659; bread-tray, brass candlesticks, each over 100 years old; sleeve buttons worn by Mr. Nathan Day in 1790 ; quart tumbler, 90 years old.
MR. A. A. WARRINER. - Canteen owned by Captain Josiah Putnam, 150 years old ; snuffers and tray, 95 years old ; foot-stove, 100 years old ; winnowing sieve, 125 years old; dirk cane, 212 years old; bellows, So years old ; coins ; stockings worn with knee breeches by Captain
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Putnam 120 years ago; chair, 125 years old; watch, chain, key, and seal. 75 years old.
MRS. O. I. DARLING. - Lady's slippers, child's rock- ing-chair, each more than 100 years old ; antique waiter.
MR. DANFORTH KEYES. - Oil portraits of Colonel and Mrs. Danforth Keyes, 1770 ; belt worn by Indian Chief Paugus, taken from him by Captain Solomon Keyes at Fryeburg, Me., 1752 (this belt is woven of gold thread) ; commissions, letters, and various documents pertaining to the early history of the town and the war of the Revolution ; scales for weighing gold, brought from England in 1630 ; hatchel for silk, made in China, china coffee-pot, each 300 years old ; platters and plates ; speci- mens of silk and linen prepared for weaving ; woollen bed-spread, more than 100 years old; remnants of Bible taken from Congregational Church in 1832 and mutilated.
MR. WILLIAM BURBANK. - Flint-lock musket; two etched powder-horns carried by his ancestor, Ebenezer Burbank, in 1765 ; decorated plates.
MR. H. H. BENNETT. - Indian plummet ; clock-reel ; quill-wheel ; pocket-book, over 100 years; spinning- wheel ; calash.
MR. C. H. FOSKET. - Hatchel, smuggled over from Scotland in 1710; warming-pan ; two pewter platters ; one pewter plate ; one wooden plate ; spy-glass ; tinder- box. :
MR. W. G. BUTTERWORTH. - Bugle. used by him in the first full brass band organized in Warren; Conti- nental coins ; note, $8.00, 1777 ; coins, 1723, 1774, 1788, 1809.
MR. C. V. STEARNS. - Flint-lock pistol ; pewter por- ringer and spoon ; flint-lock gun.
MR. W. A. STEARNS. - Spear point; tomahawk ; flesher ; pestle ; chisel and fifteen arrow points.
MRS. C. F. KEYES. - Mirror, 110 years old.
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MR. E. L. FOSKET. - Flint-lock gun, carried in 1776 by Henry Switzer: flint and steel ; cooper's axe, 150 years old ; snow-shoes, 100 years old.
MRS. E. F. HENSHAW, WEST BROOKFIELD. - Infant's cloak, worn in 1749; watch, 200 years old ; sampler, wrought in 1806; towel made by Miss Anna Burroughs, 1757 ; towel made by Mrs. Margaret Burroughs Gleason, 1800; tumbler, ISog.
BERT S. CLARK. - ". Pepper Box," early revolver ; two Indian arrow heads ; two Confederate bills.
MISS E. S. AND MR. S. N. CUTLER. - Books, 1743, 1744, 1813, IS21 ; five plates ; two platters ; two earthen teapots ; two pitchers. 1691 ; sampler, 1815.
MRS. MARY G. HITCHCOCK AND MR. D. G. HITCH- COCK. - Embroidered picture, wrought in 1803 : two oil portraits of Joseph Field, Esq., and Mrs. Field, about 1770; embroidered picture. bandanna printed with the Declaration of Independence and portraits of the first three Presidents. each about IS05 : part of tea service. teaspoons, and sugar-tongs owned by Mrs. Field ; piece of brocaded silk dress worn by Mrs. Field; chair and table owned by Joseph Field, Esq. ; table linen, a part of the wedding outfit of Mary Marsh about So years ago ; silk gloves. belonging to Mary Marsh ; decorated plate, formerly the property of the Governor of the Bahamas. more than 100 years old ; piece of child's belt, 102 years old ; white embroidered veil.
MRS. MARY M. RICHARDSON. - Hair puffs, bridal dress of white brocade silk, bridal veil, embroidered lace, worn by her mother, Mrs. John Moore ; oil portraits, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Moore, about 1770; child's linen coat, embroidered in colored crewels ; carved shell comb ; fan.
MRS. MARY GILBERT. - White silk shawl with colored figures ; china plates ; sun-bonnet.
MRS. SARAH POWERS. - Chair, 150 years old ; paper
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containing the account of the death of Washington ; ancient Bible.
MR. G. P. ABORN. - Collection of coins.
MRS. W. C. GAGE. - Two letters written from camp during the Revolutionary War.
MR. LYMAN CROSBY. - Portion of sermon in his great- grandfather's handwriting ; cup and saucer.
MR. GILES BLODGETT. - Wallet, 200 years old.
MRS. MARIA GILBERT. -- Bellows.
MR. LUCIEN GILBERT. - Old doll and chair.
MRS. G. A. SHUMWAY. - Sun umbrella ; doll ; reti- cule ; silver teaspoons, 1774, 1800.
MRS. JOHN BRIDGES. - Old doll and chair.
DR. J. W. HASTINGS. - Cat-o'-nine-tails brought North from a negro cabin during the late war; bowie knife ; documents pertaining to the War of the Rebellion.
MR. CHARLES WASHBURN. - Foot-stove ; tin kitchen ; wheel.
MISS MARIA ALLEN. - Antique china ; shell comb ; public documents.
MR. C. S. HITCHCOCK. - Ancient town-meeting war- rant, 1779.
MRS. HASCHAL POWERS. - Ancient deed.
MR. H. M. CONVERSE. - Tinder-box ; army accou- trements ; sampler.
MR. H. P. BLISS. - Antique pitcher ; basket brought from Sandwich Islands; conch shell, used to call the people to church before a bell was used on the Islands.
' DENNIS TOWN. - Blanket and blouse ; ancient powder horn.
MR. WILLIAM COMBS. - Silk dress. Colonial period, pale green brocade. lined with light yellow ; satin dress, same age, pale blue, lined with pink silk ; dress of brown brocade.
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MISS S. C. KEYES. - Coins ; brass andirons.
MRS. MERCY BLISS. - Coins.
MR. JOHN WETHERBEE. - Coins.
MISS SALLIE TUFTS, BROOKFIELD. MASS. - Marriage contract between Elisha Allis of Hatfield and Sarah Cutler of Western. January, 14, 1765; candelabrum, 155 years old ; mirror, 126 years old.
MRS. E. J. Buck. - Hand-woven linen ; ancient music and school books; " Ulster County Gazette," black bordered, containing the death of Washington.
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MR. ALBERT RICE. - Chair, formerly owned by General Ruggles of Hardwick, who was banished during the war of the Revolution, and his goods confiscated.
MR. H. B. SMITHI. - Ancient chair ; link sleeve-but- tons ; copy-book.
MRS. M. A. BLAIR. - Embroidered veil ; portrait of Mr. Shepard Blair.
MRS. OLIVE M. GOULD. - Oil portrait of Rev. Stephen Baxter ; reel.
MR. LYMAN POWERS. - Belt and sword.
MR. WARRINER BLISS. - Bible and hymn-book ; spectacles. very ancient.
MRS. SUSAN CUTLER. - Portrait of " Uncle Thomas Cutler."
MRS. LUCY T. GLEASON, BOSTON. - Wedding dress of Mrs. Stephen Gleason. worn 90 years ago. This dress is of pearl-white crape, trimmed with narrow satin ribbon.
MRS. COWEE, WEST BROOKFIELD. - Quart tumbler used when General Washington dined there on his way to Boston.
MISS LIDA HITCHCOCK .- Two decorated plates ; papers printed at the South during the war ; war souvenirs.
MR. NATHAN MOORE. - Toasting iron.
MR. D. E. GRAVES. - Ancient warming-pan, now converted into a clock.
APPENDIX.
1741 - WARREN. - 1891
SESQUI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION IN THE RAIN. - THE EXERCISES TO-DAY. - MANY OUT-OF-TOWN PEOPLE PRESENT. - THE POEM AND HYMN. - INTERESTING LOAN COLLECTION OF RELICS.
[From " The Worcester Evening Gazette," Monday, September 7, 1891.]
TO-DAY the town of Warren is observing, in a varied - and appropriate manner, although the storm has pre- vented the carrying out of the programme to the letter, the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of its incorpora- tion as a separate municipality of the Commonwealth. The territory within its limits constituted, before the Act of its incorporation, portions of the town of Brookfield in Worcester County, and of Brimfield and Palmer in Hampden County ; but by far the largest part of the area taken for the formation of the new town was from Brook- field, and the traditions and associations of its earliest times pertain and belong to the history of the last-named town. From the date of its incorporation until 1834 the town was called Western, but the similarity of the name to Weston in Middlesex County led to a change of name, and by a special Act of the Legislature in the above- named year it was called Warren, in honor of General Joseph Warren, the Revolutionary patriot and hero of Bunker Hill.
The history of Warren is replete with notable and interesting events. It was fortunate in the character and ability of its pioneer settlers, and these and their
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sons performed valiant service in the French and Indian wars and in the Revolutionary contest. The descend- ants of these in many instances are now living upon the homestead farms, and the names of the original signers to the petition for incorporation are frequent and familiar ones to-day. The first settled farm within the present limits of the town is still owned by a direct descendant, Mr. Danforth Keyes, whose ancestor, the original pioneer Solomon Keyes, was with a son killed at Lake George in 1755 while fighting the French and Indians. Twenty years before this the senior Keyes had participated in the battle between the colonists and the combined French and Indians where is now Fryeburg, Me. In 1759 Lord Amherst with ten thousand men encamped within the town while on the expedition to Crown Point, and in 1798 Washington and suite tarried for a while there when on their journey to Boston.
While the interest in the public observance of the day is not so general or enthusiastic as one would naturally expect or look for, still scores of its absent sons and daughters have returned to participate in the pleasure incident to the proceedings, and people from the sur- rounding towns are present to share with their neighbors the joys of the celebration. At an early hour the bells proclaimed the dawn of the natal day, and soon all was astir in holiday attire.
The preliminary steps towards the celebration were taken at the last annual meeting of the town, and at this a general Committee of Arrangements selected. with its members consisting of Mr. Harlan P. Bliss, Rev. Olney I. Darling, Rev. David Moyes, Rev. Putnam Webber, and Mr. Charles O. Walker.
The Committee of Arrangements perfected the organi- zation with the choice of Mr. Bliss as Chairman, and Rev. Mr. Darling as Secretary. It also appointed the following sub-committees : Music. Herbert A. Messinger, Charles O. Walker, Miss Ella M. Wentworth ; Printing,
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Daniel G. Hitchcock, George P. Aborn, Mrs. Lottie Demond ; Relics and Antiquities. Mrs. Julia M. Hitch- cock, Mrs. Mary M. Richardson, Mrs. Ida C. Marsh, Mr. Herbert B. Carpenter, Mr. Charles D. Keyes. Mr. J. Edward Lombard; Decorations, Mr. Henry S. Howe, Mr. George L. Butler, Mr. William S. Tisdale. Mrs. Maude N. Aborn.
The committee selected Hon. Solomon B. Stebbins, a native of Warren, now of Boston, where he has long been prominent in its affairs, to deliver the historical address, and Miss Nellie M. Comins of Warren to read the anniversary poem. Miss Comins is a recent graduate of Smith College. Northampton. and has been engaged to teach in the High School in Amherst.
The programme printed for distribution is a genuine work of art. It is enclosed within a folder on the first page of which are grouped six vignettes. The central one of them is the Warren Town Hall. Above this is the beautiful Soldiers' Monument dedicated last Fourth of July. A summer scene on the Quaboag River and the Public Library building are on the left of the group, while the High School building and the famous Wash- ington Elm are upon the right. It was a happy and commendable thought that first suggested the idea of these vignettes, and Warren is fortunate in the posses- sion of such subjects for the artist. The Public Library building is beautiful in its architecture and pleasing in the combination of the materials which enter into its construction, as it is built of mottled pink granite with brownstone trimmings. The High School and Town Hall buildings are of brick, and both are models in every respect. The Soldiers' Monument, a granite and bronze statue of a soldier at parade rest. is of a chaste and pleasing design. The scene on the Quaboag rep- resents one of those stretches of the stream typical of it where its waters run deep and slow ; and in the picture two men in a boat have anchored, presumably to try
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their luck at fishing. The famous Washington Elm stands near the residence of Mrs. Olive M. Gould. Beneath its branches, so the story goes, Washington halted while a glass of water from a near-by well was brought to him, and this circumstance gives the tree its name.
The address of Hon. Mr. Stebbins was an admirable one, and its words were heard by an appreciative audi- ence. The singing, under the direction of Mr. Herbert A. Messinger, was eminently satisfactory. Miss Comins's poem found a responsive chord in the hearts of her hearers, and she and her work are unreservedly com- mended.
The dinner in the Town Hall was served by Caterer F. A. Keith of Warren.
Dr. J. W. Hastings was toastmaster, and an ideal one at that. The toasts and the persons responding follow : -
"Our State," Senator Haggerty. "Our Flag," Colonel S. C. Warriner, Springfield. "Old Landmarks," Rev. O. I. Darling. "Old Quaboag Seminary." Rev. Dr. H. J. Patrick, West Newton, a native of Warren. Reminis- cences of Warren, three sentiments : First, " The Past," Hon. George K. Tufts, New Braintree ; second, " The Present," Charles H. Walker. Warren; third, "The Future," Rev. Harris G. Hale. Warren. "Reminis- cences." Judge M. L. Gray of St. Louis. " The Ladies," Daniel G. Hitchcock.
Among the visitors are. George K. Trask, commercial editor of " The Indianapolis Journal ; " and Mrs. E. Trask Hill, editor of " The Voice," Boston ; son and daughter of Rev. George Trask, the anti-tobacco apostle, once pastor of a Warren church.
The floral decorations in the church were not elaborate, yet artistic and in good taste. Wild flowers were used almost exclusively.
By far the most unique, novel, and conspicuous feature of the celebration, other than the exercises in the church,
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is the loan exhibition of relics and antiquities. The number of old families now living upon the territory of which Warren was once a portion, makes such an exhi- bition possible, for the exhibitors are from portions of West Brookfield. Brimfield, and Palmer : but the great majority of the articles are owned locally. That an exhibit so extensive, varied, and valuable could be made within so small a territory is a surprise to every one, resident as well as visitor. The collection is shown in the hall of the local Grand Army Post, and during the hours of its exhibition the hall has been crowded with visitors. The committee in charge has yielded to the public desire, and the exhibition will continue open at stated hours for four days.
The collection gives in a manner an interesting and succinct history of the town and the industrial and social life of the people ; and it likewise tells, briefly vet forci- bly, of the families that have lived in Warren and their descendants.
The collection includes many Indian relics found in and about Warren, for in this section the Quaboag tribe of Indians had their headquarters. Articles used in Colonial and Revolutionary times are also numerous.
WARREN'S ANNIVERSARY.
[From "The Springfield Union," September 7, 1891.]
The celebration of the one hundred and fiftieth anni- versary of the incorporation of the town of Warren is an event of more than local significance. The State at large is interested ; for each township is a nucleus of govern- ment, a centre from which radiate the primary forces that are potent in our State and National institutions. It
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is, therefore, a matter of general rather than local inter- est that is to-day being celebrated at Warren. The town from small beginnings has grown to large achieve- ments. Its industries have prospered and developed. Its institutions have kept pace with its commercial thrift and enterprise, and the people have received the benefits of school, library, and church, becoming fitted thereby to perform intelligently the duties of citizenship, and to fill creditably such positions in private station or public trust as have been assigned to each.
It is fitting, then, that Warren's anniversary should be recognized and celebrated. The effects of such a cele- bration are healthful. A feeling of local pride is excited by the rehearsal of incident and history connected with the town's past, and the immediate results of this pride will doubtless be apparent in a new impetus to enter- prise, and in directing the public attention to chances for further improvement. Public spirit in a town is a power for good, and in no way can it be more successfully aroused than by such demonstrations and exercises as are being held at Warren to-day. The event will prove a valuable one also for a further reason. It has necessi- tated the careful study of town records, and the collec- tion of historical data that might have been lost but for the attention called to them by the needs of this occasion. It is important now that all the records and history which have been thus brought to light should be carefully pre- served in the archives of the town. They will prove increasingly interesting on future occasions of a similar nature, and will be of priceless worth to the coming historian.
" The Union" extends congratulations to the citizens of Warren, with the expression of this wish, -that the town's future history may be characterized by the same thrift and prosperity that have marked its past.
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[From "The Springfield Republican," September 8, 1891.]
The town of Warren, which celebrated yesterday so successfully the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of its incorporation as a separate township, has every reason to feel proud of its history and of the men who made it. The story of this interesting occasion is else- where fully told. The founders of the town were of that sturdy class of pioneer farmers who all over New England laid the foundations of our present prosperity. The records of Warren show how active a part every one of the early settlers took in the civil and religious life of the community, for then Church and State were one. Their record in the early contests with the Indians, and later in the great struggle for independence, shows, too, their readiness to fight, and, as many of Warren's best men did, die, if need came, in defence of their homes and that which was dearer, their rights. Nor should all credit be yielded to the soldiers ; for the men who, after the early and later years of war, steadily labored on their farms and in their shops contributed quite as much to make the town one of the prosperous manufacturing centres of the State. A celebration such as yesterday's does much to awaken the feelings of local pride and patriotism which are apt to become dormant. Many an inhabitant of Warren was surprised to learn what a history belonged to his town, and every one felt prouder than before that he was a citizen of the place. Any thing which stimulates the people of a town to study its history must be beneficial, for they can hardly fail to draw inspiration from the story of the lives of the early settlers which will help them to be better citizens.
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LETTERS OF REGRET FROM INVITED GUESTS.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. BOSTON, August 31, IS91.
Mr. H. P. BLISS, WARREN, MASS.
My Dear Sir : - I find, very much to my regret. that it is quite impossible for me to reach Warren on September 7th. Two other important engagements were made for me long since for that day, - one in the morning in Boston, and one in the afternoon at Northampton, -both of which will prevent my attendance. I greatly regret this, as it would have been a great pleasure to me to come to Warren on this anniversary, and to extend to her the congratulations of the Commonwealth upon the successful, upright, and honorable life she has led, and her best wishes that the future may bring to her only greater honor and success.
Kindly express to the Committee and citizens my great appreciation of their kindness in inviting me, and my very sincere regrets that I am unable to be with them.
Very truly yours, WM. E. RUSSELL.
PITTSFIELD, September 4, 1891.
Dear Sir : - Please accept my thanks for a kind invitation to be present as the guest of the town of Warren on the occasion of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of its incorporation on the 7th instant. I have delayed my reply till the last moment, in the hope that it might be possible for me to enjoy the rare pleasure so interesting an occasion will surely afford, but I regret to find that engagements I must keep will prevent.
Permit me to congratulate the town of Warren on the good that a hundred and fifty years of self-government has brought
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to her people, and the share that government has had in main- taining the high character of the Commonwealth of which she forms a part. The inestimable blessings of town government, such as New England alone of all the States enjoys, can never be measured or over-valued. That government, like a never- failing spring on the mountain-side, feeds and refreshes and supports the sources of all our growth. When the town parlia- ment shall die out, the State will surely fail. I wish for your people that they will ever keep this home government clean and earnest, with high aims and noble purposes, and the best attainable results will be the legacy bequeathed to those who shall be called upon in coming anniversaries to celebrate the glories of your civil institutions.
I am truly yours,
D. G. HITCHCOCK, Esq., .
Chairman, etc., Warren.
H. L. DAWES.
WEST WINSTED, CONN., August 24, IS91.
D. E. GRAVES, WARREN, MASS.
The invitation of your Committee to the anniversary exercises to occur on September 7th next was duly received, and is highly appreciated.
I have delayed replying, hoping that my mother would feel able to go and enjoy with me the festivities : but she thinks that she had better not. She proudly claims to be a native of, and is still loyal to, the good old town of " Western."
If we are not with you personally, we shall be in spirit, on that day.
Praying for good weather, and knowing that the citizens will take care of the rest, I wish you a celebration without a mar.
Respectfully, WM. H. BATCHELLER.
COMMITTEE OF INVITATION, WARREN, MASS.
Your card of invitation to attend the "one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of the town of Warren, Mass.," to be observed September 7, IS91, is before me.
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While I regret to say that, owing to other duties, it will be impossible for me to be present on that interesting occasion, I do assure you that my heart and my sympathies will be with you in all the congratulations of the present, the anticipations for the future, and the reminiscences of the past, which such an event must awaken.
I am well aware that, after an absence of so many years from my native town, few of the forms and faces once familiar to me will be present at the greeting. Some are in distant lands, engaged in the varied pursuits of life : many, very many, have passed over the river, and there on the other shore await our coming. Joyful as such a gathering is sure to be, it must still be tinged with sadness. The ever-restless hand of Time has been among you, and all is changed, -all but the eternal rocks and the everlasting hills. One hundred and fifty years ! What have they not wrought! The triumphs of science are most marvellous ; the triumphs of civil and religious liberty surpass the most sanguine expectations of the world ; and in all this march of improvement New England has held a most con- spicuous and leading place.
And Massachusetts, God bless her! the royal mother of glorious New England, she walks a queen among her more than twoscore States. The leaven of her civilization, with its churches and schools and colleges, her free institutions, and the patriotism of her sons, permeates and moulds the citizenship of our whole country. God bless old Warren, nestling, as she does, amid her mountains and her valleys and along her wind- ing stream ; planted, geographically as well as providentially, so near the warm and throbbing heart of that grand old Com- monwealth we all so proudly claim as our native State.
May her sons and her daughters, sustained by the arm of Omnipotence, prove loyal to her best interests, and true to the sacred traditions of the worthy fathers and mothers whose ashes lie mingling with the clods of the hillside, and the fruits of whose labors we now enjoy, and whose virtues we hold in deepest reverence. With best of wishes,
I am an absent son of Warren,
JOHN H. COMBS.
HAINES CITY, FLORIDA, August 24, IS91.
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WEST HARTFORD, CONN., September 2, IS91.
TO THE COMMITTEE ON INVITATIONS.
Gentlemen : - I had hoped that in response to your kind invitation I should be present on the occurrence of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of the good old town of Warren, and thus testify to my interest in her con- tinued prosperity, and my pleasant memories of the years when I was a resident of the town ; but it now seems probable that circumstances beyond my control will necessitate my absence.
Trusting that the occasion will be in every way interesting and gladsome, even beyond my anticipations, I am
Yours sincerely,
E. L. JAGGAR.
LA FAYETTE, IND., September 4, IS91.
The card bearing date August 10, 1891, from Committee on Invitations, for the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of the town of Warren, Mass., was duly received. I sincerely regret that the ill-health incident to " threescore years and ten " will prevent me from participating in exercises or festivities demanding so long a journey. It would be a great pleasure to clasp the hand and reciprocate the greetings of the few early friends remaining.
I well remember that early in the year IS41, Rev. George Trask, then pastor of the Congregational Church in Warren, tried to induce the people to notice the centennial, but no enthusiasm was shown ; but the march of improvements dur- ing the past five decades will far surpass the former century. With sympathy and a hearty wish for its success,
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Respectfully yours, C. L. (COPELAND) HOWARD.
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133 East 29th Street, NEW YORK, August 31, IS91.
Dear Mr. Hitchcock : - I regret exceedingly that my duties in New York are such that it will be impossible for me
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to accept the kind invitation of your Committee, and attend the exercises of Warren's one hundred and fiftieth anniversary.
It would give me great pleasure to be present and listen to the most excellent programme arranged for that memorable occasion. Rest assured I shall be with you in spirit, and I trust nothing will occur to mar the joy of a day so noteworthy in the annals of the town.
I regard the citizens of Warren as very fortunate in having their lot cast in so pleasant a place, possessing so many natural advantages of soil, water-power, and climate. More than all, the town is to be congratulated upon having so large a number of public-spirited citizens, evidences of whose generosity are to be seen on every hand. To their enterprise is largely due the fact, that, while many of our New-England towns are deterio- rating in wealth and population, Warren has had a steady, pros- perous growth, until it is known far and near as one of the most flourishing towns in Massachusetts.
There is no need, however, that I write of these things. Your orator will outline the growth and development of his native town; your poetess will sing in charming lays the beauty of its situation and the heroic deeds of bygone days ; while the dinner will doubtless be graced with the intelligence, wit, and beauty of your citizens. My wish for Warren, where I spent seven of the happiest years of my life, is, that she may continue to go on in the lines already laid down, and be as dis- tinguished in the future for the intelligence, sobriety, patriotism, and piety of her citizens as she has been in the past, and is in the present.
May the Lord bless and prosper the dear old town, is the wish of your friend,
JESSE F. FORBES.
WORCESTER, September 4, IS91.
D. G. HITCHCOCK, Esq., WARREN.
Dear Sir : - I regret very much I shall be unable to accept your kind invitation for Monday next, but absence from this part of the country will prevent. I trust the day will be a joy-
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ful one for you all, and hope the next century and a half will be full of blessings for your beautiful town.
I have been away for the past few days, so please pardon my not answering your favor before.
Yours very respectfully,
GEO. F. BLAKE, JR.
THE GEO. F. BLAKE MFG. CO., NEW YORK, August 27, IS91.
D. G. HITCHCOCK,
Chairman of Committee, Warren, Mass.
Dear Sir :- I am in receipt of your favor extending to me an invitation to be present at the celebration of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of the town of Warren to be held on the 7th of September. Owing to press of busi- ness and other previous engagements, I shall have to decline your kind invitation, for which please accept my thanks.
Yours very truly, GEO. H. STOVER.
NEW YORK, August 26, IS91.
D. G. HITCHCOCK, Esq., Chairman of Committee, Warren, Mass.
Dear Sir : - Thanks for your kind invitation to be present at the hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of the town of Warren on September 7th next.
I regret that other engagements will prevent my accepting your kindness.
Very truly yours, C. E. BIGELOW.
KNOWLES STEAM PUMP WORKS, NEW YORK, August 26, IS91.
D. G. HITCHCOCK, Esq.,
Chairman of Committee, Warren, Mass.
Dear Sir : - I am in receipt of your kind invitation to the celebration of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the
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incorporation of the town of Warren. I am very sorry my engagements will not enable me to be present on this occasion, September 7, 1891.
Hoping you will have a pleasant day, and every thing will pass off successfully, I am
Very truly yours, C. L. BROADBENT.
GARDNER, MASS., August 29, 1891. D. E. GRAVES, Esq., WARREN, MASS.
Dear Sir : - Your kind invitation to be present at your coming anniversary is just at hand.
While it will be impossible for me to be present, yet I desire to thank you and the good town you represent for the courtesy of the invitation. My stay was not long among the Warren people, but the Methodist Church at the west village will attest my love and effort to aid all the good elements in the town.
I remain very sincerely,
SETH C. CARY.
Brief regrets at inability to be present were also expressed by Rev. Alexander Sessions.
F 84494.84
6280
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