USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Gorham > Celebration of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of Gorham, Maine : May 26, 1886 > Part 4
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SINGING - Original Hymn, By PROF. H. L. CHAPMAN, Bowdoin College. TUNE - RUSSIAN NATIONAL HYMN. BY THE CHORUS.
SINGING -" To thee, O Country," Eichberg.
BY THE CHORUS.
ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE DAY.
MUSIC,
BY THE BAND.
SHORT ADDRESSES, SINGING, MUSIC BY THE BAND, ETC.
CLOSING HYMN - AMERICA.
BENEDICTION, By REV. EDWARD ROBIE, D.D., of Greenland, N. H.
At the close of these exercises there will be a SHAM FIGHT, in the field and woods near the tent, between a body of Indians led by their War Chief Presumpsaukett, and a squad of Scouts represented by the Grand Army Soldiers.
Ringing of bells at sunset, and parting salute on the site of the Bryant House.
IN THE EVENING,
A Reception will be given by the ladies of Gorham, at the Academy Hall. Past and present residents, visitors, and strangers in town, are cordially invited.
There will also be Social Reunions at the Halls of the various secret organizations, where brethren and their friends will be warmly welcomed.
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ONE HUNDRED FIFTIETH
During the preparations for the celebration, there were those who asked "What shall we do in case of bad weather ? " but in gen- eral, there was no more thought of unpropitious circumstances, and a postponement, than there was of changing the day of Capt. John Phinney's landing on the calendar. But as was the case at the centennial celebration fifty years ago, it rained heavily dur- ing the previous day and night, and cleared off just in time for the exercises, so that the clearing up became a part of the cele- bration.
In the early gray of the morning, a flash illumined Fort Hill, the thundering of the sunrise gun echoed from the hills, and before the salute was ended, the rain ceased, the clouds dissolved, the sun shone out brightly, and the church bells rang joyfully.
As the bright sun and cool breeze dried the streets, prepara- tions were rapidly completed ; flags waved from every flagstaff, and before eight o'clock, public buildings and private residences were everywhere decorated with national emblems and historic symbols. Altogether, the effect was most gay and picturesque.
In addition to the private display, the committee on decora- tions had erected in the center of School Street, where it crosses Main Street, a lifelike figure of an Indian in full war paint, armed with gun and tomahawk. The figure was mounted on a pedestal resembling marble, and that in turn stood on an apparently gran- ite base. On the shaft were the dates "1736, 1886," and the original name of the township-" Narragansett No. 7." This figure was greatly admired for its perfectly natural attitude of expectancy, and the pose so suggestive of the bold, bad, red man. A great arch at the head of Main Street, bearing the word "Wel- come " in large and conspicuous letters upon each side, spanned the street. It stood like a crystallized forest of green boughs in the heart of the village, and elicited much admiring comment. The cemetery on the west side of School Street, given to the town for a burial place, by Mr. Joseph Hamblen, in 1740, was a spot of great interest. The graves of John Phinney and his wife, Hugh and Elizabeth Mclellan, Stephen Longfellow, and others were appropriately designated by flags.
The old brown stone monument erected in 1805, and recording the settlement of the town, had been recently moved to the head
E.
1736 WELCOME. 1886
HATC-ORPE
.
-1736-
THE PROCESSION FORMING UNDER THE ARCH AT HEAD OF MAIN STREET.
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ANNIVERSARY.
of Church Street, and placed upon a granite base. The inscrip- tions are as follows : -
ON THE WEST SIDE.
"Gorham is one of the seven townships granted by Gen. Court in the year 1732, to the Narragansett settlers. On a division of the property among the original grantees, this town was assigned to Capt. John Gor- ham and one hundred and nineteen others, and was then called Narra- gansett No. 7."
NORTH SIDE.
"Capt. John Phinney commenced the first settlement in this town May, 1736. This event celebrated May 26, 1836, May 26, 1886."
SOUTH SIDE.
" This town was incorporated by the name of Gorham, Oct. 30, 1764."
EAST SIDE.
" This monument was erected by direction and at the expence of this town, May 6, 1805. Placed upon its present base, May 26, 1886."
The "Hugh Mclellan" house, on the west side of the Fort Hill Road, was decorated with flags attached to its front, and over the front door the Mclellan coat of arms was reproduced by a shield bearing three white doves in line between two gold stars, and a banner inscribed by the name of Mclellan. This was for many years the home of Hugh and Elizabeth Mclellan, settlers in Gorham in 1738. It was erected in 1773, of bricks made by Hugh Mclellan and others, and is said to be the first brick house built in Cumberland County. The first Mclellan house, a log cabin, stood a little further north on the east side of the road.
The eight o'clock train from Portland, followed by other long and heavily loaded trains, helped to swell the throng that was rapidly collecting in the streets, and by nine in the morning, the village was alive indeed. The chief-marshal and his aids were on the gallop, executing their plans, many of the horsemen of the parade were already in the saddle, while the press reporters, in a carriage drawn by a pair of splendid bays, reconnoitered and sur- veyed the situation. Governor Robie's grounds, in the rear of the depot, swarmed with people, and the sidewalks on the route of the procession were crowded with men, women, and children, from all parts of the town, and the neighboring towns, Portland, Westbrook, Scarboro, Buxton, Standish, and Windham. Differ- ent estimates placed the number waiting along the proposed route of the procession at from three thousand to five thousand persons.
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THE PROCESSION.
The procession formed on South Street, the right resting on Main Street, according to the programme, and moved in the following order: -
Chief Marshal-Col. H. R. Millett. Aids-Edward Harding, J. A. Hinkley, Dr. W. P. Watson, B. W. Feeney, George T. Pratt. Platoon of Police. Chandler's Band, D. H. Chandler, leader, 25 pieces.
Portland Cadets, Capt. Harry Eastman, commanding, 30 men. John R. Adams Post, No. 101, Department of Maine, G. A. R., Theodore Shackford, commanding, 40 men.
C. A. Warren Post, No. 73, Department of Maine, G. A. R., E. R. Wingate, commanding, 60 men.
Carriages containing Governor Robie, Rev. Dr. George L. Prentiss, of New York, Gen. S. J. Gallagher, Col. F. W. Guptill, Lieut .- Col.
W. A. R. Boothby, Lieut .- Col. A. B. Neally, Lieut .- Col. J. F. Hayden, Lieut .- Col. R. T. Mclellan, Major George E. Dole, of the Governor's Staff,
George B. Emery, Esq., Judge J. A. Waterman, Mr. Dana Estes, of Estes & Lauriat, Boston, Rev. Dr. Edward Robie, Rev. F. A. Bragdon, Gen. S. J. Anderson, Col. John M. Adams, Stephen L. Stephenson, Esq., Col. William B. Freeman,
Mayor Chapman, of Portland, H. J. Libby, Esq., M. P. Emery, Esq., Councilor Silas Hatch, Mrs. Martha C. Wentworth, grand- daughter of Capt. John Phinney, the first settler, her son, Dr. J. P. Wentworth, and grandson, Harold N. Wentworth, Edward Gould, Esq.,
S. R. Clement, Rev. H. S. Huntington, Rev. George Lewis, Albion Little, Esq., Councilor J. A. Locke, N. J. Rust, Esq., of Boston, Major Hewes.
Harmony Lodge, No. 38, F. and A. M., Fred W. Harding, W. M., 80 men. Dirigo Lodge, No. 21, K. of P., C. A. Brackett, C. C., 50 men.
Carriages and Picnic Wagons containing Present and Past Officers of the Town, Present and Former Residents, School Com- mittee, Past and Present. Gorham High School, F. W. Davis, principal, 80 pupils. District Schools, 300 pupils. Gorham Grange, No. 54, P. of H., G. M. Parker, Master. Buxton Grange, No. 95, P. of H., R. F. Carter, Master. Mounted Company, L. H. Bean, captain, 45 men. Section of First Maine Battery, O. T. Despeaux, Captain commanding, 10 men. Indians, G. D. Weeks, War Chief, 20 braves. Phinney Memorial Rock.
F
GRANGE DIVISION OF THE PROCESSION.
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ANNIVERSARY.
FLORA, CERES, AND POMOMA.
Following Gorham Grange came one of the most pleasing features of the procession, designed to illustrate different departments of agriculture. First was a log cabin, mounted on wheels, drawn by four horses, bearing on the roof the name "Pioneers." In advance of this cabin marched a delegation dressed in primitive style, carrying implements of industry used by former generations. On one side of the cabin was this inscription: "Be it ever so humble, there 's no place like home." On the opposite side: "1736, They Endured. 1886, We Enjoy." Within the cabin was a fam- ily dressed in antique garb. The mother was busy spinning flax, and the boys and girls were cutting up capers after the fashion of boys and girls of all periods.
The next tableau gave a vivid picture of rustic simplicity. A jigger covered with evergreen and spruce made a bower of greenery for the occupants, a group of ladies. On one side was "Laborer-Maid. Labor conquers all things." On the other side: "With humble faith they fell the trees, break the sod, and plant the seed."
The next was an equally charming spectacle; a vehicle bearing vines and blossoms, and another company of ladies. The words "Cultivator -Shepherdess" appeared on one side, and under them the line: "He that tilleth the soil shall be satisfied with bread." On the opposite side was the line: " Till with hope- Watch with care."
Following this was a beautifully adorned vehicle on which in great letters were the inscriptions : "Charity. Harvester. Gleaner. Faithfully gather. Carefully glean." On the other side: "Faithful in gathering, careful in gleaning."
Then came a pretty cottage scene. The inscriptions were : " Husbandman-Matron. As the homes are, so the Na- tion." On the other side: "Culture at home, Refinement abroad."
The mottoes on the next pictured representation were as follows: "Grain is King. Ceres brings grain." On the
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other side: "To Ceres belongs golden grain. King of Kingdoms."
The next bore the following mottoes: "Flora, I bring thee flowers and blossoms. Sweet promises of rich golden fruit." Similar mottoes were on the other side. This vehicle was fairly blossoming in floral beauty, and the fair occupants who were borne along within it, were singing their songs of joy and happiness.
The Goddess Pomona was remembered, and a tribute paid to her by the next carriage, which like the others was cov- ered with flowers, fruit and trailing vines. The mottoes were: "Pomona brings the golden fruit, products of the Orchard and Vineyard." On the opposite side : "Pomona brings the fulfillment of Flora's promise, golden fruit."
VILLAGE FARM ON WHEELS.
Following these tributes to Ceres, Flora, and Pomona, came an exhibition of a village farm on wheels, -the de- sign of Mr. Henry B. Johnson. First passed along six noble looking oxen drawing a cart on which were a plow used in 1776, and one used in 1886; then a horse attached to a patent hay-loader; then a span of grays drawing a patent horse-hoe, and a seeder; then a span of handsome bays attached to a Bradley mowing machine, and last a pat- ent hay tedder, drawn by one horse.
The mounted company also formed a very attractive part of the procession. It was a fine display of handsome horses and excellent horsemanship, as well as of neatness and tidi- ness in all respects. It was much admired, and reflected great credit upon its officers, Capt. L. H. Bean and Lieut. Perley Hanson, whose careful drilling and personal example contributed largely to its success.
The procession marched down Main Street to the Gray Road, countermarched up Main, up State, down High, down Church, through Water, through Elm, up Preble, up Green, up Pine, down State, down South, through Lincoln Street,
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ANNIVERSARY.
to the tent in Governor Robie's field near' the railroad station.
All along the route, the streets were lined with people who in many expressive ways manifested their great delight in the variegated spectacle.
The Phinney rock was borne on a jigger ornamented with small spruce trees and flags. On each side was a placard that told the spectator that this was "the rock to which Capt. John Phinney moored his boat the first time he rowed up Little River."
The pupils of the High School made a good appearance in the procession, as did also the younger children of the dis- trict schools. Several banners were carried by these schol- ars. One bore the following: "West Gorham No. 5 banner. The first West Gorham schoolhouse was built of logs in 1761." Miss Grace Weeks had charge of the scholars from West Gorham No. 5 district. Another banner was inscribed as follows: "Our free schools, the hope of a free people." On another was to be read: "We learn not for school, but for life."
The Indians in the procession looked as though they were in truth aborigines. They were in savage rig, and armed with bows and arrows, and tomahawks. The big medicine man stalked gravely along in the center, adorned with a head-gear of feathers, one end of which nearly reached the ground. The Indians were a very attractive feature of the procession ; and by their grotesque and skillful manœuvers, and good conduct through the day, they won much praise for themselves and their renowned chief, Presumpsaukett.
FORENOON EXERCISES.
The great Yale tent, gaily decorated with flags and bunt- ing, was quickly filled by the procession and the attendant crowd, and though packed to its utmost capacity, the num- ber outside of the tent still seemed as large as that within.
The exercises opened at about 11.30, with an "Anniver-
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ONE HUNDRED FIFTIETH
sary March," composed for the occasion by Mr. Charles R. Cressey, of Gorham, which was finely rendered by Chand- ler's Band.
The audience was called to order by Governor Robie, president of the day, and a fervent and appropriate prayer was offered by Rev. Henry S. Huntington, pastor of the First Parish Church. Keller's "American Hymn" was then sung with great spirit and power, by a chorus of one hundred and fifty voices, selected from the musical sons and daughters of Gorham, under the direction of Mr. W. L. Fitch, conductor, and accompanied by Chandler's Band.
After the singing, the following selections from the Holy Scriptures were read by Rev. F. A. Bragdon, pastor of the School Street M. E. Church.
PSALMS LXXXIX. 1-17; xCv. 1-7; CXLVI; CXII; CVIII. 1-5.
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever. With my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations. For I have said, Mercy shall be built up forever; thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens. I have made a cove- nant with my chosen; I have sworn unto David my servant, Thy seed will I establish forever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah. And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O Lord; thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints. For who in the heaven can be compared unto the Lord ? Who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the Lord ? God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him. O Lord God of hosts, who is a strong Lord like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee? Thou rulest the raging of the sea : when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them. Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arm. The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine : as for the world, and the fullness thereof, thou hast founded them. The north and the south, thou hast created them : Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name. Thou hast a mighty arm : strong is thy hand, and high is thy right hand. Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy
Le
to
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throne : mercy and truth shall go before thy face. Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound : they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance. In thy name shall they rejoice all the day : and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted. For thou art the glory of their strength : and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted.
O come, let us sing unto the Lord : let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are all the deep places of the earth : the strength of the hills is his also. The sea is his, and he made it : and his hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down : let us kneel before the Lord our maker. For he is our God : and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.
Praise ye the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul. While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being. Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to the earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God: which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is : which keepeth truth forever : which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The Lord looseth the prisoners : the Lord open- eth the eyes of the blind: the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down : the Lord loveth the righteous : the Lord preserveth the strangers : he relieveth the fatherless and widow : but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down. The Lord shall reign forever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the Lord.
Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. Wealth and riches shall be in his house : and his right- eousness endureth forever. Unto the upright there ariseth light
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in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion and righteous. A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth : he will guide his affairs with discretion. Surely he shall not be moved forever : the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings : his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies. He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor ; his righteousness endureth forever; his horn shall be exalted with honour. The wicked shall see it, and be grieved ; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away : the de- síre of the wicked shall perish.
O God, my heart is fixed ; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory. Awake, psaltery and harp : I myself will awake early. I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people : and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations. For thy mercy is great above the heavens : and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens : and thy glory above all the earth.
At the conclusion of the reading, Governor Robie was introduced to the audience by Judge Waterman, and de- livered the following
ADDRESS OF WELCOME.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Sons and Daughters of Gorham: -
We joyfully meet on this lovely morning of May, in view of many historic hill-tops, and in sight of the valleys of our own native soil. The scene appears more beautiful and suggestive than ever before. Our hearts beat with ecstacy, and our voices swell with thanksgiving and congratulations on account of per- sonal kind greetings, and at the sight of so grand a panorama as
nature here spreads out before us. From the commanding sum- mits around us we can look upon the most delightful scenery. In the distance are the lofty granite mountains of New Hamp- shire, nearer are the swelling hills and fertile valleys of our own native State. Sometimes in our view is the blue ocean, with its white sails of commerce, and dearer than all else about us, are the old homes where many of us were born. The earth is
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ANNIVERSARY.
covered with its fresh carpet of green, the familiar trees extend their shady branches, and the birds that have come and gone for so many centuries are here again by their representatives, and with their sweetest songs join in the universal response of wel- come; midst such pleasant surroundings we meet for an unusual and special purpose, and it becomes my official duty, as president of this grand gala day of our own, to call this distinguished gathering to order, and to welcome the presence of a large num- ber of the sons and daughters of the ancient town of Gorham to the sights, rights, and services of this eventful occasion: the celebration of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of its settlement. Our minds are crowded with the mighty memories of the past, and a common bond unites us all as one great family. In behalf of the citizens of Gorham, I bid you all a hearty wel- come.
Those of the sons and daughters of our town who, for sufficient reasons, have left their ancestral roof for enlarged opportunities, and the varied responsibilities of life, are only adopted citizens of other localities, and we claim such as our own by the royal title of birth. During your absence you have not been forgotten by us, and are not yourselves strangers to the manor born, but return bringing golden sheaves with you, and with reciprocal joy and affection we welcome you home again to the land of our fathers. I welcome the many strangers in our midst, and extend to such the hospitality of our homes.
We stand in view, and are in the vicinity of many a sacred and historic spot, and it is meet that we tarry at our one hundred and fiftieth milestone, and first recall the old family names of the men and women of Gorham, made illustrious by the noble exam- ples and high purposes of early times. One hundred and fifty years ago, on this very day, on yonder high summit, were congre- gated the family of that noble, Christian man, Captain John Phinney, our earliest ancestor. He had come here from what is now known as the city of Portland, in a boat, by a circuitous route through the waters of Casco Bay, to the mouth of the river Presumpscot, and thence, after several miles of interrupted navi- gation, on account of water fall over steep ledges, he entered Little River, a tributary of the Presumpscot that traverses the breadth of our town. There was no other practicable method of 5
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ONE HUNDRED FIFTIETH
reaching here at that early period, and after many serious impedi- ments and delays, he reached the point of destination on the early morning of the 26th of May, 1736. It was but a short distance from what was to be his future home. Disembarking, he fastened his boat to a rock as a landing-place, and today this rock appears in our procession as one of the distinguished and honored monu- ments of early times. It bears the first footprints of Anglo Saxon occupancy of our town, and, in a limited sense, is the Ply- mouth Rock of our civilization. It will hereafter be deposited in a conspicuous place at the base of our town monument. On that eventful morning in May, our early ancestor stood midst a dense forest of high trees which shut from human vision everything but the blue sky. In the evening he could see above him the heavens, the stars, the mysteries of God's mighty work, from which he drew inspiration, faith, and hope for future reward. The cultivated fields, village, and city of the present period, were then practically a dark and forbidding forest. From the long centuries of the past there came nothing but an unwritten his- tory, and the unreliable traditions of an Indian race, and the silence of a vast solitude was only disturbed by the tread of the red man, and the voice of the wild beast. From this point civili- zation commenced. One hundred and fifty years ago, upon yonder summit, was begun and created a family home, the unit of our form of government. The multiplication of similar family homes made our town, and have made the state, and nation. One hundred and fifty years ago this morning, the family Bible was read for the first time in our town, the first prayer was offered, the first song of thanksgiving ascended to the throne of God, and the appearance of the Phinney family, and the blows of the woodman's axe were the forces that commenced to roll back the mysteries of the past for a new departure, to make room for the beginning of the real historic life which we now see and know. We are proud of our ancestor, and the first families who settled our town. The noble characteristics of the pioneer family per- meated the locality, and there was a unity of loyal brotherhood and Christian fellowship among our early ancestors that is worthy the emulation of their descendants. We come as Pilgrims and view with unmeasured delight the spot where the first Christian family home was consecrated. We tread here and there upon
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