USA > Maine > Oxford County > Waterford > The history of Waterford, Oxford County, Maine, comprising Historical address, by Henry P. Warren; record of families, by Rev. William Warren, D.D.; centennial proceedings, by Samuel Warren, esq > Part 18
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19
Within the pathless forest came, A hundred years ago, A woodman, of familiar name, To lay the forest low.
Inspired with no ambitious aim, Averse to blood and strife, He fled the scenes of deathless fame, To seek a quiet life ;
331
WATERFORD CENTENNIAL.
To seek perchance, within the wood, Amid its peaceful charms, A safe retreat in solitude, Secure from war's alarms ;-
With little thought his poor retreat Would be a scene of fame, Where eager pilgrim throngs would meet To bless his humble name.
But yet, how often we observe, In Heaven's eternal plan, That humblest means are made to serve God's purposes to man.
The place where that plain woodman came, And hewed the forest down, Through Heaven's benignant care became A fruitful, thriving town.
The pleasing scene on every hand, Which all the landscape fills,- The rock-bound, yet productive land, And richly wooded hills,
Attracted here a noble race Of men inured to toil, Who braved the hardships of the place, To try a virgin soil.
The early fathers of the town Were of that sturdy stock, Which took its prestige and renown From grand old Plymouth Rock.
332
WATERFORD CENTENNIAL.
And with them, to the wilderness, In manly hearts they bore The same religious earnestness The pilgrims did of yore ;-
-
The same grand love of Liberty, The same respect for Law, The same broad Christian Charity, And reverential awe.
And, lest this ardor should abate, And faith itself grow cool, They brought those pillars of the State, The Church and Common School.
Not yet, of course, those forces raised To present scope and power, But germs within the seed embraced- The bud, but not the flower.
Yet many a dark and bitter day Of mingled hopes and fears, And many a sorrow marked the way Of those brave pioneers.
Full oft the promised harvest failed, And famine pressed them sore, And many a strong man's spirit quailed, That never quailed before.
But still their faith did not abate, Nor did their ardor cool- They kept those pillars of the State The Church and Common School.
333
WATERFORD CENTENNIAL.
And built a simple school-house where They turned the virgin sod, And near it raised in faith and prayer, A temple to their God.
Who can recall without a thrill, That place of praise and prayer, The ancient church upon the hill, And those who worshiped there ?
Who can forget the cottage near, That scene of saintly grace, Which made it seem through many a year, To us a sacred place ?
Who can compute the priceless worth, The measure or extent, Of that good influence in the earth, Its gentle inmates lent ?
Who stands unmoved within the place Which holds in sacred trust,
Some loved, revered, and sainted face, That slumbers in the dust ?
These are the lives and memories To which we tribute pay ; Theirs are the bloodless victories We celebrate to-day.
The Legal Fraternity. Responded to by ALBERT BARKER EsQ., of Colebrook, N. H.
The committee regret that of this speech also they have no report.
334
WATERFORD CENTENNIAL.
Being called upon by the President, Capt. THOMAS SWAN made interesting general remarks. He related some amusing anecdotes, and referring to the peculiar internal nomencla- ture of the town, told how his own neighborhood came to be dubbed with the euphonious sobriquet of Blackguard. He recalled pleasing incidents and reminiscences of the fathers.
The Professional Farmers-the men who dug upon our rug- ged hillsides, and laid the foundations of society in Wa- terford. Responded to by Dr. N. T. TRUE, of Bethel.
Mr. President : I have no claim on your attention to-day. I am neither a native of your goodly town, nor have I ever been a resident, but as a visitor and a traveler I have taken a deep interest in everything pertaining to its history.
Artemas Ward, who you know was born within ten rods of this spot, once told the story of the fellow who made fun of his " wax figgers " while on exhibition in a certain town. Artemas told him he knew something would happen to him for his im- pudence, and surely enough, it was not long after this that an old aunt willed to him a farm up in Oxford county. Now Ar- temas Ward, though a native of this town, did not realize how many thrifty farmers there are within its borders.
As I passed through a portion of the town this morning, I was delighted with the green fields, waving with corn and wheat, and the neat and conveniently arranged dwellings, sur- rounded with fruitful orchards, I was instinctively led to ask myself how this could be brought about in so hard and rocky a soil. The answer came as instinctively as the question. It is the consequence of intelligent agriculture. No ignorant com- munity could bring about such a result. Your farmers are thinking men, and consequently intelligent men. They are temperate and industrious men. Each man is an industrious man, sitting on his little throne, and caring for nobody, so far
335
WATERFORD CENTENNIAL.
as relates to the expression of his own opinions. As I looked across a deep valley, to a distant mountain side, I could see dotted here and there the white houses gleaming in the sun, and I needed nothing more to tell me that a virtuous and happy people are living there.
But why this state of things in contrast with so many other rural spots on the face of the earth ? I will tell you. Your fathers planted a church in the centre of the town, and school- houses in every neighborhood. I have visited every school in your town and have been struck with the intelligence of your teachers, and the earnest devotion of your children to their studies. This is the primal cause of your successful agriculture. You have always raised up strong men and strong women, and less than most towns, you have been but little affected by em- migration.
I sometimes envy those towns that are somewhat seclud- ed from the great highways of travel. As I see a boy in your schools plodding away at his books, and shut out from the excitement of larger towns, I am sure if he settles down in his native town he will be an honorable citizen, or if his ambition rouses him up to a spirit of adventure, he will be sure to be- come no ordinary man. His early, thoughtful habits have most admirably trained him for a position of superiority over his fel- low men. Such has always been the history of your town, and this solves the problem of the beautiful homes dotted over your valleys and hillsides.
Mr. President, I thank you for your special courtesy and I congratulate you on the success of your Centennial Celebration.
The American Flag the only thing American that will bear Striping. Responded to by REV. DAVID GARLAND of Bethel.
Mr. President and Fellow-citizens :
That Flag, waving majestically in the breezes over our
336
WATERFORD CENTENNIAL.
heads is an American production. She originated in American skill, and she has come to be elevated high in the air by Amer- ican hands. She is the most beautiful and noted of all the na- tional flags under the whole heavens. Whenever she is seen by the nations of any clime, they are reminded of the fact that she is a guardian spirit watching over constitutional liberty es- tablished in America. Nearly a century she has occupied this place of high trust. At certain seasons during this long period, she has endured great trials. Now and then, she has fought nobly for her honor, and struggled heroically and determinately for her very existence. In the early part of her life she had a dread conflict with a foreign power. It came against her with the violence of the foaming waves of an angry sea ; yet she en- dured the shock of battle with becoming fortitude. Many of her soldiers, noble men, contending for her life and fighting for her glory, were struck down by grape shot and cannon balls, and she herself was terribly lacerated by the deadly weapons of her enemy, while many of her brave soldiers perished in that hostile conflict with a foreign force. She herself calmly en- / dured its violent stripings, secured a joyful victory, became cured of all her grievous wounds, and again assumed her high position as the guardian spirit of constitutional liberty. Of very recent date, she has had a most fearful conflict for her life with a mightier enemy. Millions all of a sudden rose up in great fury against her, and sought to strike her out of existence. Those millions she had for many years watched over constantly and perpetually, with all the tenderness of an affectionate mother, and had ever in view their highest interests. This was to her at a dreadful cost. Hundreds of thousands of her truest friends and boldest advocates perished in the storm. They freely offered their lives in sacrifice that she might survive the conflict. While she shed tears over the death of the mul- titude, that for her life moved forward heart to heart and shoulder to shoulder, to meet the violence of the raging tem-
337
WATERFORD CENTENNIAL.
pest, she herself endured bravely the blows that fell upon her both thick and fast. Of all the aids (American) employed to resist the onslaught of the angry host, she only bore heroically and undismayed the severe stripings inflicted. Very ennobling was to her the rigid discipline experienced in that one of the. most cruel of all wars. Thousands in breathless surprise watch- ed attentively her progress while in the fight; and when the violent storm had become changed into a peaceful quietus, they with shouting cried, glory to the dear old flag. Her complete and marked victory over all her awful stripings received, greatly elevated her character in the view of the cloud of witnesses. And by reason of her signal triumph over her deadly foes, for- eign nations have come to the belief that all adverse forces had better be cautious how they make a rash attempt on her life. For having passed safely through that fiery ordeal, when even to her view the bright heavens gathered thick darkness, her renown as one of power, has become greatly increased among the warriors in all lands. Though generation after generation of American citizens have served their day under her benign protection, and fulfilled their part in the great drama of life, and passed away from earth, she to-day occupies firmly her true position, retaining all her original freshness and beauty, exhibiting no visible signs of having ever received severe strip- ings from her many foes. As she for nearly a century, has been regarded by all nations as a guardian spirit watching over con- stitutional liberty established in America, God grant that she may continue to retain her high office on and on into far distant ages in the future, that generations yet unborn may greatly re- joice in her vigorous life, and talk freely of her glory, even though at periods it may be to her an inevitable necessity to re- ceive the severe stripings of bitter enemies.
338
WATERFORD CENTENNIAL.
Opening a wide field for general remarks, and interchange of sentiments, the President announced
Our' Centennial, and called upon the Chairman of the Com- mittee to answer.
Friends, Ladies and Gentlemen :
It was said by one of old, " last of all by me also, and as of one born out of due time," so I am permitted to pick of the crumbs of this royal feast. On this beautiful birthday of au- tumn-of mellow autumn,-in this glorious sunlight all nature clothed in her "beautiful garments," beneath these bending skies, smiling and peaceful, as never a storm had ruffled their azure depths, nor rolling thunders vaulted through their sounding caverns,-amid all these happy auguries, we celebrate the hundredth anniversary of the settlement of our good old mother town. For her children her old heart yearns with a fond mother's love, and to-day she lays upon them all the hand of blessing. And especially you who come, and to-day have drawn the old latch-string, has she bidden with her warmest welcome. We did not ask if you have forgotten the old mother, who dandled you upon her knee. We know, until "the silver cord be loosed, and the pitcher be broken at the fountain," till expiring nature shall fail, the touching, tender thought of early home and its memories, first, last and midst, out of your hearts shall never die.
Standing here hand in hand to-day, what gush of memories are welling up in our hearts; and there come to us thoughts too big for utterance.
Like some mellow winds, toying with the chords of a thou- sand stringed harp, come back to us the memories of other days. In the strong, expressive language of Israel's shepherd king, "We spend our years as a tale that is told ; " and ever as songs in the night is the " old, old story." As the breath of
339
WATERFORD CENTENNIAL.
summer on our fevered hearts, from the happy, loving homes of our youth, familiar voices are whispering of pleasant spring- times, of joyous summers; of the glad, golden harvests of " long ago." They come to us in the sprightly tones of laugh- ing childhood, in the gleeful shout of sportive youth, and all along the vista of our riper manhood, like the thrilling numbers of a song, comes back the story of the years.
Gathered here to-day, multitude voices are telling the same " old story." If we turn to the lakelet at our feet, with its bright rippling waters, it has a tale of joy or of sorrow. The mountain at our right, with its bold craggy cliffs, it too has a voice. With glad presence looking on to-day, all these grand old mountains and hills have words to us. These homes-all these beautiful homes-what a story are they telling; and in weird tones from yonder grave, there is speech that no tongue can utter ;- and, friends, when we shall come to lie down with that gathered host, our years too will be " as a tale that is told," and God grant that it may be worth the telling.
Kind friends, you came at our bidding; we have given you the hand of a joyous welcome; we bid you go with blessings richer than earth can give; and may the scenes of this day, with its pleasant reunions and happy greetings, pictured in this glorious sunlight, holding in loving embrace, hill, mountain and valley, be engraven for good on all our hearts. God grant that in its happy auspices, it may be but the bright horoscope of other, and better, and more beautiful days, and hearts that have met to-day, be growing to that deeper and more exalted commu- nion, which shall make us meet for a better and a brighter home, and go with us down the centuries in a more glorious world to come.
340
WATERFORD CENTENNIAL.
Next in order, or rather out of order, Father Douglass was called, and venerable in his eighty third year said :
Mr. President and citizens :
I rejoice to see this day, and to meet so many of the descend- ants of those noble men and women, who came into the wil- derness to make for themselves and their descendants a home, and to plant here christian institutions to bless their posterity and the world.
On the return of this day, at the end of the next one hun- dred years, we shall not be here, but may God grant that we may meet around that great white throne in heaven-to cele- brate the praises of redeeming love forever.
Addresses were made by Dr. Oren Horr, of Lewiston, and J. M. Shaw, Esq. The next speaker announced was Dr. John A. Douglass, of Amesbury, Mass., who replied :
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen :
I am not a speech maker and not being at all competent to say anything that would do justice to Waterford or its people, I will with the permission of the master of ceremonies-propose a toast.
There is one class among those who live, or have lived in Waterford that should not be forgotten to-day, and that I at least shall never cease to honor; a class that has had no small part to perform in making Waterford and its children what they are. The deeds of the fathers of Waterford, have been related,-the hope and promise of the young men have been described-the young ladies have had their share of praise, and now remembering some who will be seen here no more, as well as many who still live to do us good, I propose as a toast :
The Old Ladies of Waterford.
341
WATERFORD CENTENNIAL.
Our Next Centennial. Responded to through the orator of the day, in an original poem by MISS CLARA M. DOUGLASS.
A hundred years to come ! Alas ! Like shadows gliding o'er the grass, That leave no traces as they pass, So do our lives go by. When next the day returns, for all To meet and mark the Century's fall, We shall not heed the gathering call, We shall not make reply.
The eyes that smile and weep to-day, The lips that words of welcome say, The feet that walk the homeward way, Shall be beneath the sod. Eyes, lips and feet of welcome guest, Or happy host, shall be at rest, Hands folded on the quiet breast, The spirit gone to God.
And must we be forgotten ? No! Streams make their history where they flow ; So may our story downward go, A hundred years to come. If but our lives that chord shall keep, Begun by those who lie asleep, They shall, as long, in tones as deep, Do honor to our home.
The Committee were kindly remembered in a vote of thanks, and the services were concluded by the audience rising and singing the grand old Doxology, " Praise God from whom all blessings flow." And thus, with one of God's
342
WATERFORD CENTENNIAL.
most beautiful days, was closed the exercises of this most memorable occasion.
Dust returneth to its dust, but deeds never die, and the generations live and repeat themselves in the hearts and lives of the living. The years, so eventful in their periods, are ever green in the memory of men. Like music over the waters, is the story of the years that are gone. If the young dream of life is gorgeous, the vision of age is of the beautiful past.
As the sun declined toward the western mountain, at the close of these recitals, the people lingered ; as if bound by some pleasing spell, they seemed loth to go. The vision tarried ; age was young again. To the awakened memory the springtimes of other days came back, and mingling with the mellow autumn winds, was the breath of the summers of " long ago." Strong men and women were children again, and beneath the old roof-tree were living over the scenes of early home. From the old play-ground rang out the merry shout of childhood and youth. They sat once more beneath the lintel, upon the familiar door-step, and recast the young dream of life. Within they heard the voices of mother and sister, and around the well-remembered fireside they nestled in the old home love, that was as no other has been.
" My heart, sweet home, what gladness fills, And pleasures so divine; My soul, no sound of music thrills, As home that once was mine."
The spell must be broken, yet so glad was the hour, as if resting on the scene and hallowing it, was the sweet incense of a mother's love, and a sister's tender care, and mingling
343
WATERFORD CENTENNIAL.
their presence, the spirits of a past age hovered over and rejoiced.
In review of the occasion that marks the closing year of the centenary, we rejoice that in all its parts it was so well sustained. And the committee would again express their most grateful sense of obligation to all who contributed to make it what it was. All propitious powers seemed to lend their willing agency. The provision was ample and hearty. The old homestead bustled with new life and activity. The great household was all astir in earnest preparation. The guest-chambers were swept and garnished. The fatlings were killed, and with full larders the feast was made ready. The weather was fine-from benignant skies the sun looked down in his glory. The elements at rest, seemed in abeyance. All nature put on her gala robes, and kept holiday. The scene was grand and inspiring. The fields, all teeming with their burden of yellow grain, and the ripening harvest were smiling with plenty, and from hill and valley there seemed voices of welcome-the whole landscape was glad with invi- tation.
In honor of the old mother there was no stint. Nature and art were laid under contribution. For her adornment and crown of rejoicing, the gardens and the meadows sent garlands of choicest flowers. From the mountain dells came gems of emerald green. Even the old forests, so grand upon the hillsides and in the valleys, in honor sent whole battalions of their most graceful saplings. From grand mothers' boudoir and garret came antiquities and relics, the priceless keepsakes of a ruder age, when solid comfort had not given place to luxurious fashion. Above all, from happy
344
WATERFORD CENTENNIAL.
homes, the people, all abounding with that hospitality and cheer that can gladden any occasion, brought themselves ;- all contributing, with the excellent speaking and music, to make glad this day of rehearsals, and for itself a bright and beau- tiful memory.
APPENDIX.
-
It seems fitting that one who has passed away during the preparation of this history, who has been a central figure, during most of the years it covers, and whose memory is so embalmed in the hearts of all this people, should have more than a passing notice. We regret that we are not able to give an excellent likeness of Father Douglass, now in posses- sion of the family. In its place, we offer the reader a no less true delineation, in a paper written by Rev. Dr. Warren of Gorham, and read at his funeral as part of the memorial service.
23
<
347
APPENDIX.
REV. JOHN ABBOTT DOUGLASS.
Pastor of the First Church in Waterford fifty-six years.
BY REV. WM. WARREN, D.D.
AFTER the first ten years of Mr. Douglass' ministry in Wa- terford, he ceased to be my pastor. I left the town perma- nently, and have known him since only as I have revisited the place, and met him at his home and on public occasions. Con- sequently, my particular acquaintance with him is less than that of most of you, who have known him through life as a friend and pastor.
And yet, I ask the favor to say some things at his burial, which have been impressed upon my mind as true and just. I wish to say them in the way of showing my interest in him, and my sympathy for his family and his people.
MR. DOUGLASS was a man of marked individuality; I mean, there was great distinctness of character in him. He was alto- gether himself, and no one else. He did not take on charac- ter, nor take in influences as readily as most persons do. He was not easily moved and molded by outside impressions. He was a man of true, natural independence of character, respect- ful to all, and self-respectful also. He was always himself solely, and never sought to be another, or any other than him-
348
APPENDIX.
self. This was not from self-conceit, but from the force of his own firm nature. He was always (though modestly), true to himself, to his own convictions and principles. These he did not try to conceal, nor to force upon others. He was a man of great caution, and of true and safe conservatism. These per- tained to his words, as well as to his acts. His thoughts always fore-run his words. He did not speak, and then think; but he thought and then spoke, or was silent, as he chose. He often did more by silence than by utterance, by not doing than by doing. A wise forecast with calm self-control did much for him, and through him for others. It made him conqueror, where some may have thought him cowardly. He seldom had to re- trace his steps, or take back his words. This gradually gave him an acknowledged influence and power in society. His marked individuality, his independence of mind and manhood constituted him a sort of authority in the place. He was all this without being arbitrary or domineering. A prudence per- vaded him, a modesty veiled him. It is seldom that one has such acknowledged influence and decided qualities of character, and yet bears them so modestly and naturally. He copied no one; he had no need to. He respected the thoughts of others, and weighed them, but it was his nature to think for himself, and to act independently.
He had natural ingenuity, that was apt at various devices ; so that if all conveniences and arts of human life were suddenly lost, he was the one who would suffer least by the loss, as hav- ing an inventive skill of his own, by which he could extempo- rize life and its conveniences, and gradually replace the loss.
He was less dependent on books than most men ; for he was not an echo of others. And yet he did not despise others, nor their opinions, though he might not assent to them. He was a candid judge ; he was a candid critic; he was a candid listener.
349
APPENDIX.
He chose to listen, rather than to lead in conversation. He was the freest of almost any man I ever knew, from the coarse hab- it of monopolizing conversation ; and the kindred one of talk- ing of one's self offensively, or of one's affairs and family. He was slow to obtrude his opinions; he never needlessly made a show of knowledge. He was not ambitious of distinction or of place, but held the even tenor of his way, calm in his own in- dividuality, his unconscious influence and attainments unto the end of life.
It would follow that such a man would have stability and uniformity of character. It was so with Mr. Douglass. You always knew where to find him. System was not a second, but a first nature with him. You saw it in his planning, not less than in the execution. Method characterized him ; method in sermonizing, method in everything. Though he had great ver- satility of mind, he was remarkably free from fluctuations of mind. In the conflict of opinions, and under transverse winds of doctrine, you knew where to find Mr. Douglass. Consist- ency not less than system, characterized him. It was difficult to detect anything extemporaneous in his ways or mental work- ings, anything irrelevant, or loose, or hap-hazard in him, either as a minister or as a man. He did things in his own way, and always did them in about the same way (as one has to do who acts in the best way, and who sees through things intuitively.) He wrote his sermons in his own uniform style-a neat, chaste and thoughtful style-imitating no one, borrowing from no one. His theological views were the average views of good thinkers and safe biblical scholars. If seldom brilliant in his utterances, he was always safe, accurate and thoughtful in his discourses and conversation. If there was much uniformity in the struct- ure and treatment of his sermons, it was because it was impos- sible that he should be inconsistent with himself, and with his
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.