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NYPL RESEARCH LIBRARIES 3 3433 08177982 3
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Acworth
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HISTORY OF ACWORTH,
WITH
The Proceedings of the Centennial Anniversary,
GENEALOGICAL RECORDS,
AND
REGISTER OF FARMS.
EDITED BY
REV. J. L. MERRILL, Coton Historian.
1
,
ACWORTH : PUBLISHED BY THE TOWN. 1869.
-
PRESS 08
BONNIES
200.
SPRINGFIELD, MASS.
NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
Astor, Len x and Tilden Foundations. 1896
3555
.
4
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PREFACE.
IT is believed that the pledge given the subscribers to the "History of Acworth " has been redeemed. As full a report as possible has been made of the doings and sayings of the Centennial Anniversary, only two speeches being omitted. These were not reported to the compiler. The early history of the town has been made as full as the materials at hand would allow. Great pains have been taken to make the list of the owners of homesteads and the genealogical records accurate. Where families have taken the trouble to send in their family records, they will probably find but few mistakes. Sketches of professional men, natives of the town, are given so far as known. In many cases materials have not been at hand to make as full sketches as desirable, and in other cases the scissors have been freely used, both in gene- alogical records and sketches, that a disproportionate space might not be occupied. Comparatively few, and very brief sketches of the early inhabi- tants have been prepared, partly for want of materials, but more especially because, while the general standard of energy and thrift has always been high, there never has been an aristocracy of wealth or of worth-or rather the aristocracy of worth have been so numerous, and there has been such a sameness in their characteristics, induced by similarity of training, that it is impossible to select a few, without being unjust to the many necessarily passed over in silence.
It has been found necessary to adopt as a rule, that no sketches of the present inhabitants of the town should be written, for the same reason.
The book has been open for all to contribute portraits, who desired. But few likenesses of the early settlers could be procured, which fact we deeply regret.
iv
PREFACE.
Funeral sermons, obituary notices, college catalogues, oral and written statements of friends, and all other accessible sources of information have been consulted to perfect the sketches and other parts of the History, and we take this opportunity to thank the many friends of Acworth who have assisted in this work. The book has really had a large number of authors, so large that it is useless to give even a list of those whose very words have been used to convey the information they communicated, much less to give authority for every fact stated. J. H. Dickey, Esq., has contributed the list of owners of homesteads, a large part of the military history, many genea- logical records, the sketches of the soldiers, besides many incidents in the other parts of the History. Rev. Daniel Lancaster has communicated many facts. Mrs. Sally Wilson of Ohio has contributed largely to the history of the first quarter of the present century, her very words being used in many instances. Mrs. Harvey Howard furnished the history of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Rev. J. L. Whittemore the sketch of the Baptist Church.
The principal books of reference have been " Parker's History of London- derry," "Belknap's History of New Hampshire," "Sketches of New Hamp- shire Churches," "Dr. Chapman's Alumni of Dartmouth College," "Jack- son's Genealogical Report of New Hampshire," etc.
ACWORTH, April, 1869.
J. L. M.
CONTENTS.
PART I.
CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY,
PAGE.
9-117
Officers and Committees-Centennial Morning-Gathering at the Church-Letter from Col. I. H. Silsby-Song of Welcome-Address of Welcome-Centennial Address-Poem-Adjourned to the tent- Song, " A Hundred Years Ago"-Remarks by Rev. Daniel Lancas- ter-Rev. Dr. Orcutt-Dr. William Grout-J. M. Barnard, Esq .- Rev. Amos Foster-Ode-Remarks by Dr. A. R. Cummings-Rev. George Cooke-Song, "Our Acworth Home "-Remarks by Prof. Hiram Orcutt-George R. Brown, Esq .- Col. Thomas Clark-Part- ing Invocation-Response of Dr. E. G. Cummings-Rev. Hiram Houston-J. Davis, Esq .- George B. Brooks, Esq .- L. V. N. Peck, Esq .- David Campbell, Esq .- Jonathan Robinson, Esq .- Letters from President A. D. Smith, Hon. George W. Nesmith, Dr. E. S. Wright, Maj .- Gen. Cram, Hon. Nedom L. Angier, President N. J. Morrison, Rev. George Cooke, John Wilson, and Miss Lurinda Cummings.
PART II. HISTORY OF ACWORTH.
CHAPTER I. CIVIL HISTORY, .
. 118-142 Geographical and Geological Description of the Town-Charter- Settlement-Character of Settlers-A Secession Movement-The Village in 1800-Emigration-Spotted Fever-The Common- Cemeteries-Schools-Temperance-Ladies' Charitable Society- Merchants-Mills-Present Condition of the Town-List of Town Officers.
CHAPTER II. ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY, . . 143-163 Congregational Church-First Meeting-House-Organization of the Church-Rev. Mr. Archibald-Rev. Mr. Kimball-Rev. Mr. Cooke- Rev. Messrs. Grosvenor, Merrill, Wright, Foster and Merrill-Sketch of the Baptist Church-Sketch of the Methodist Church.
vi
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER III. MILITARY HISTORY, . 164-177
PAGE. Militia-Revolutionary War-War of 1812-War of the Rebellion- Sketches of Soldiers Dying in the Service.
PART III.
GENEALOGY OF FAMILIES AND SKETCHES OF INDIVIDUALS, . 178-289
APPENDIX.
REGISTER OF HOMESTEADS, · . · . 289-306
List of Homesteads in Town and Names of the Individuals who have Owned them.
INDEX TO PLATES.
PAGE.
REV. PIIINEHAS COOKE,
FRONTISPIECE.
COL. I. H. SILSBY,
15
REV. GILES BAILEY,
18
MILAN DAVIDSON,
·
42
REV. AMOS FOSTER AND WIFE,
64
REV. DR. JOHN ORCUTT, 71
J. M. BARNARD, EsQ.,
77
DR. A. R. CUMMINGS,
85
PROF. HIRAM ORCUTT,
90
DR. E. G. CUMMINGS,
94
REV. HIRAM HOUSTON,
. 96
DR. LYMAN BROOKS,
99
REV. DR. WRIGHT,
.
112
DANIEL GROUT, ESQ., AND WIFE,
118
MRS. SALLY WILSON,
130
GRANVILLE GILMORE, .
132
S. A. REED, . 135
DANIEL J. WARNER, EsQ.,
142
REV. JOSEPH MERRILL,
153
154
DAVID BLANCHARD, ESQ.,
THERON DUNCAN,
172
NATHANIEL WARNER,
178
181
HON. NEDOM L. ANGIER,
MRS. BARNARD, 185
197
LEWIS CAMPBELL, EsQ.,
MORRIS CLARK, ESQ.,
. 200
JAMES G. DICKEY, ESQ.,
. 209
REV. J. L. MERRILL,
. 168
viii
INDEX TO PLATES.
PAGE.
THERON DICKEY,
210
SAMUEL FINLAY,
216
HON. ALEXANDER II. GILMORE,
219
NATHANIEL GROUT,
224
- 225
228
SAMUEL KING, 235
236
LEMUEL LINCOLN,
238
JOHN G. MAYO,
212
DEA. WILLIAM MCCLURE,
243
PERLEY MITCHELL, 246
DAVID MONTGOMERY, EsQ.,
218
THOMAS MURDOUGII,
249
WILLIAM NOURSE,
251
DR. MILTON PARKER,
255
MISS JULIA A. PARKER,
256
WILLIAM PRENTISS,
: 258
STEPHEN R. ROGERS,
262
CAPT. E. H. SAVAGE,
263
ITHIEL SILSBY, EsQ.,
265
DEA. ZENAS SLADER,
266
THOMAS SLADER,
267
ORVILLE L. SLADER,
268
CAPT. JAMES WALLACE,
277
GEORGE M. WARNER,
278
WILLIAM WARNER, ESQ.,
· 280
CAPT. EDWARD WOODBURY,
. 287
COL. EBENEZER GROUT,
DR. JOHN H. HEMPHILL,
REV. DANIEL LANCASTER,
PART I.
Centennial Anniversary.
PRELIMINARY PROCEEDINGS.
THE citizens of Acworth met at the town-house, November 25, 1867; voted to celebrate the Centennial Anniversary of the settlement of the town on the 16th day of September next; chose J. H. Dickey, Adna Keyes and Hugh Finlay, a committee to select the officers of the day, appoint other necessary committees and make such arrangements as they deemed suitable. The fol- lowing officers were selected, and committees appointed by the committee of arrangements :
President-Col. I. H. Silsby, Boston, Mass.
Vice Presidents-Ithiel Silsby, Samuel H. Moore, Amos Keyes, Amos Clark, Dan Orcutt, Calvin Clark, Ovid Hemphill, Royal Parks, David Campbell, James G. Dickey, Horace Duncan, Edward A. Slader, L. Gil- more, Lewis Campbell, Sewell Ingalls, Dr. William Grout, Alexander H. Gilmore, Samuel McLure, H. Rodgers, Norman Wilson, Perly Mitchell, William Graves, Daniel Nourse, Asaph Silsby, Roswell Carleton, Elisha Mayo, John Gregg, Nathan George, Henry Lancaster, Joseph Finlay.
Marshal-Col. Thomas Clark, Cambridge, Mass.
Assistant Marshals-Col. J. S. Gove, Col. G. M. Warner, Col. J. F. Wallace, Capt. E. H. Savage, Capt. W. C. Woodbury, Capt. N. G. Davis, Capt. J. M. Barnard, Capt. S. A. King, H. Blanchard, Esq., William Nourse, B. F. Warner, L. J. Brooks, J. F. Dickey, Samuel Finlay, 2d., Amos Keyes, Austin Tracy, Jesse F. Slader, Charles Robinson, Hiram Studley, O. L. Slader, E. G. Cummings, A. R. Cummings.
Toast Master-S. L. Bowers, Newport, N. H.
Committee to collect historical facts and incidents relating to the settle- ment of the town and the genealogy of families of first settlers: District
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10
THE CENTENNIAL.
No. 1-Rev. J. L. Merrill, G. Gilmore, D. J. Warner, George Bailey. District No. 2-James Wallace, Thomas Ball, D. Blanchard. District No. 3-Jesse Slader, Joseph Hayward. District No. 4-John Grout, Dan- iel Clark. District No. 5-Samuel MeLure, Robert MeLure, E. Cram. District No. 6-J. Tracy, S. P. Barnard, C. J. Davis. District No. 7- T. M. Dickey, Dexter Copeland, P. W. Pettingill. District No. 8-F. Hemphill, E. Grout, J. Gleason. District No. 9-Rev. J. L. Whittemore, Adna Keyes, Rodney Buss. District No. 10-George R. Brown, E. M. Kempton, S. Beckwith. District No. 11 and 13-George Houston, Rev. J. H. Lord, Rev. A. K. Howard, H. Howard. District No. 12-David Whitney, J. H. Dickey.
Committee to furnish historical sketches of the several churches, resident ministers and Sabbath schools-Rev. J. L. Merrill, Rev. J. L. Whittemore, Rev. J. H. Lord, Rev. A. K. Howard.
Committee of invitation-Jesse Slader, Nathaniel Warner, Granville Gil- more.
Committee of finance-Zenas Slader, Charles B. Cummings, J. F. Mur- dough.
Committee of publication-Rev. J. L. Merrill, Rev. J. H. Lord, Rev. J. L. Whittemore.
Committee of roll of honor, to report lists of revolutionary soldiers, of the war of 1812, and the late war-Ebenezer Grout, C. M. Woodbury, C. E. Spencer, J. F. Page.
Committee to prepare a list of town officers-D. J. Warner, C. M. Wood- bury, S. McKeen, Jr., J. G. Silsby, C. B. Cummings.
Committee to prepare a list and short sketches of those who have obtained a collegiate education, and those who have entered the ministry and profes- sions of law and medicine, including resident physicians-Jesse Slader, Dr. N. G. Brooks, Dr. S. T. Smith, II. N. Hayward.
Committee to sketch notices of merchants, manufacturers, mechanics and mills-C. M. Woodbury, E. Cummings, William Hayward, Nathan Adams, J. M. Reed.
Committee to furnish band music-Maj. E. Cummings, J. B. Richardson.
Committee to furnish vocal music-S. H. Bascomb, William L. Woodbury William Atwood.
Committee to prepare sentiments and appoint persons to respond thereto- George Bailey, J. A. Wood, Rev. A. K. Howard, G. Gilmore, C. J. Davis.
Committee to furnish gun and powder, and manage the same-R. Hilliard, Samuel MeKeen, Jr., L. Buswell, Henry T. Buss.
Committee to furnish lumber and erect seats and tables-Barnet C. Finlay, Sylvester A. Reed, Alvin Davidson, Levi Prentiss, S. Harding, Francis Buss, Asa Dodge, G. W. Lathrop, D. G. Osgood, Benjamin Nichols, G. Gilmore, W. W. Johnson, I. Campbell, C. K. Brooks, C. A. Snow, S. Finlay, Curtis Warner, A. W. Barney, J. S. Symonds, P. Monroe, D. A. Ryder, R.
11
OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES.
Walker, Warren Thayer, Levi Davis, O. B. Burnham, B. P. Wood, Theron Hull, A. W. Sparling, Amasa Lincoln, Roswell George, L. Morse, R. G. Bascomb, Joel Porter, B. S. King, I. Newton, O. R. Kemp, H. Heard, Jr., A. M. Bragg, G. M. Gowen, J. B. Buck, D. Peasley.
Committee to solicit and receive contributions for, arrange, decorate, and wait upon tables. The chairmen of the District Committees to constitute a supervisory committee : District No. 1-John Blanchard and lady, M. M. Warner and lady, George Bailey and lady, D. C. Anderson and lady, E. S. Chatterton and lady, Mrs. L. Harding, Miss Josephine Brooks, Miss Mary Chatterton, Miss Susan Dodge, Miss Lucia Perham, Miss Emma Howe, Miss Ellen Moore, Miss Lizzie Gould, Miss H. F. Warner, Miss Esther Finlay, Miss Ella Wood, Miss Eliza Prentiss, Miss Philetta M. Slader, Miss Nettie Neal, Miss Georgianna Hayward, W. C. Neal and lady, J. P. Cram and lady, M. M. Woodbury and lady, Harvey Lincoln and lady, C. A. Hull and lady, John M. Smith and lady, H. Murdough and lady, M. P. Thornton and lady, W. F. Hilliard, Henry Cram, E. A. Warner, William Brooks, L. Tracy, A. M. Dodge, S. A. Hayward, A. O. Hayward, H. D. C. Tracy, R. Carey. District No. 2-S. Blanchard and lady, S. S. King and lady, G. H. Heard and lady, A. A. Mathewson and lady, A. H. Church and lady, J. H. Clark and lady, H. B. Reed and lady, J. Osgood and lady, J. Brackett and lady, F. E. Brackett and lady, William Whipple, T. B. Hayward, J. Warner. District No. 3-S. S. Finlay and lady, L. Grout and lady, S. O. Taylor and lady, F. S. Trow and lady, Miss Jennie Finlay, Miss Emma Grout, A. S. Finlay, N. G. Slader, Samuel Slader, J. Finlay. District No. 4-Daniel Clark and lady, D. Eaton and lady, D. C. Walker and lady, M. D. Gould and lady, I. J. Page and lady, Misses Johnson, Misses Stevens, G. W. Stevens, G. P. Johnson, W. Copeland, Miss Sarah Whipple. Dis- trict No. 5-Daniel Gay and lady, W. B. Reed and lady, J. W. Howe and lady, M. V. B. Peck and lady, J. Vinton and lady, R. L. Howe and lady, A. Buswell and lady, D. W. Thompson and lady, H. D. Wallace and lady, Miss E. Lathrop. District No. 6-C. J. Davis and lady, J. N. Davis and lady, G. W. Neal and lady, H. F. Burnham and lady, J. B. Tracy and lady, G. F. Youngman and lady, Misses Barnard, Miss Sarah Davis, L. H. Davis, J. Buswell, O. Symonds. District No. 7-D. Nye and lady, J. M. Davis and lady, C. A. Lawton and lady, O. Chapin and lady, T. B. Bachelder and lady, H. Buswell and lady, W. M. Pettingill and lady, M. O. Kennedy, J. T. Mitchell, D. J. Thayer, Miss Anna Thayer, Miss Mary Bachelder, Misses Richardson, Miss B. J. Pearson, Miss Nellie Kennedy. District No. 8- George W. Young and lady, G. F. Nichols and lady, J. B. Clough and lady, G. W. Hilliard and lady, J. L. McKeen and lady, M. Gassett and lady, J. Crossett and lady, Mrs. L. Sanborn, Miss Abbie Ware, J. Perham, H. G. Perham. District No. 9-J. W. Moore and lady, F. Buss and lady, F. P. Fletcher and lady, W. Dana and lady, J. H. Dyer and lady, Miss Mariam Symonds, Misses Mitchell, A. M. Mitchell, M. A. Boynton, M. P. Howe,
12
THE CENTENNIAL.
J. Symonds. District No. 10-J. H. Brown, D. C. George and lady, W. B. Tinker and lady, C. Richardson and lady, F. Ellenwood and lady, Miss Jennie Greeley, Miss Amanda Kempton, G. Smith, C. Metcalf. District No. 11-J. A. Wood and lady, J. F. Richardson and lady, S. Symonds and lady, T. B. Richardson and lady, L. Randall and lady, J. McKeen and lady, G. B. Fields and lady, C. Dingman and lady, C. E. Hardy and lady, H. N. Hayward and lady, C. D. Peck and lady, A. Graham and lady, S. E. Mann and lady, W. Gassett and lady, Miss Olive Wood, Miss Minerva Ad- ams, Miss E. Barney, Miss Maria Mann, Miss Ella Monroe, Miss Clara Howard, Miss Ellen Houston, Miss Mary Houston, Mrs. C. D. Whitman, G. Reed, U. Peck, S. Howard, C. E. Spencer and lady, H. L. Silsby and lady, Miss Ella Reed, E. G. Campbell. Districts No. 12 and 13-J. A. Dickey and lady, George P. Dickey and lady, L. R. Hardy and lady, D. Peasley and lady, E. Green and lady, M. Moulton and lady, S. W. King, G. H. Howard, G. F. Watts, Miss Watts, Miss Buck, Miss Julia Osgood, Misses 'Heard, Miss Gowen.
Committee to provide for guests-William Hayward, C. K. Brooks, A. Lincoln, A. W. Sparling, E. Cummings.
Most of those appointed on the committees cheerfully per- formed the work assigned them, so that the old adage, "Many hands make light work," was verified. Upon the chairmen of the leading committees, however, came the principal part of the care. This was especially true of the chairman of the Committee of Arrangements, who was indefatigable in his efforts to make the celebration a success.
The Committee of Invitation sent letters of invitation to all the former citizens of Acworth, whose address they could ascertain. These were very generally accepted in person, especially by the aged, many verging upon threescore years and ten, and several past that age, returned once more to visit their native town. Mrs. Sally Wilson, aged 82 years, though unable to walk without crutches, came from Ohio, and Mrs. Hammond, aged 89 years, a daughter of the first school-teacher in Acworth, Mr. Samuel Smith, was present from Fairlee, Vt. Probably every Northern State was represented and many of the Southern States.
The extra stages arrived, for days preceding the Anniversary, filled with passengers. So many people never lodged in Acworth at one time as during the nights preceding and following the Cen- tennial, and yet thousands poured in from every quarter upon the morning of that day, and returned to their homes in the evening. To the disappointment of all, the morning was dark and threaten-
13
CENTENNIAL DAY.
ing, and before the exercises at the church commenced, the rain began to fall, and hundreds went away from the crowded church, not knowing where to find shelter, though the citizens of the village threw open their houses to all. The scene is best described in the following lines extracted from a poem suggested by the occasion :
" Acworth ! it is thy gala day, And banners now are floating gay, And though the raindrops from the trees, Are shaken by the soughing breeze, And mist-clouds on the hills around, Are swaying downwards to the ground, And all think in a short time more The threatening heavens will surely pour. Yet rolling drum, and bugle note, Are on the breezes heard to float, And thousands in thy streets are met, And thousands more are coming yet. For creaking wains, and rattling stages, Freighted with bipeds of all ages, Fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, Are rushing hither from all quarters, And you have but to ope your eyes To see of every grade and size; Here loud the puling infant sereeches, There struts a chap just out in breeches; The short, the tall, the thin, the stout, The fat, the lean, for all are out. Some sitting down, some walking slow, Some looking, seeming not to know Exactly where 'tis best to go To get the focus of the show. And thus some hasten up the hill The crowded church more full to fill, While leisurely the steps are bent Of others, towards the mammoth tent. And all are sure a crowd to meet Whichever way they turn their feet. For not in mansion or in cot, Or yard, or lane, or street, or lot, Can any one discern a spot Where Mr. Somebody is not, And all is blithe apparently As if no cloud obscured the sky.
.
14
THE CENTENNIAL.
But what came all this crowd to see ? The products of a century ? Why, no, friend, but each hungry sinner Has come up here to get the dinner, Which generous Acworth tenders free To all this goodly company. For yonder mammoth tent now holds Beneath its overarching folds, As good a dinner as a man Can find this side of Hindoostan, And every guest desires in heart Shortly to bolt a bounteous part, And verily there is enough, This mighty multitude to stuff, For turkeys, chickens, puddings, pies,
In long succession greet the eyes ; And cake of every kind, and fruit, The daintiest appetite to suit ; For know, for all that's good and sweet The cooks of Acworth can't be beat. So every guest may take his fill Of every dainty that he will, And some there'll be who'll doubtless say,
As they go on their homeward way, I never yet in all my life, Ate dinner, cooked by maid or wife So good as that I've ate to-day.
Old Acworth ! Oh how many hearts Are thrilled with rapture to the core, At the sweet joy thy name imparts, As now they look on thee once more, Who from their far abodes have come To breathe once more thy blessed air, And see again their dear old home, And think of all who once were there, Whose tears drop fast as they recall The memories of their early days; Their father, mother, friends, and all The blessings strewn along their ways. And well it is that they should throng To view their native hills once more, These glorious hills from which were drawn The principles that made them men,
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR,, LENOX TILDENT FOUNDATION
15
EXERCISES AT THE CHURCH-LETTER OF COL. SILSBY.
Where first the inspiration came From father's prayer and mother's song, That led their souls to love the right That led them to despise the wrong. And where the love of country first Was in each youthful heart so nursed,
That as they saw her banner fly They grudged not for her weal to die,
But in a hundred bloody fights
Stood up, and battled for her rights."
The exercises of Centennial Day commenced at 10 A. M. The following letter had been received from Col. I. H. Silsby of Boston, Mass., who had been appointed to preside :
NEWTON CORNER, MASS., September 14, 1868.
Gentlemen of the Executive Committee,-When you kindly tendered me the honorable position of presiding officer at your Centennial, I at first de- clined ; not because I did not feel a deep interest in my native town ; not because my heart was not in this celebration, but simply because I thought you had others better qualified by nature and experience to discharge the duties of that office, and it was only at the most carnest solicitation of my dear lamented father, that I consented to serve you. From the first intima- tiou he had from you of your intentions, his whole heart was in the project- and he ever gave the various committees with whom he was in correspond- ence, all the information he could, most cheerfully. And as the day drew near, his thoughts were more centered upon it; morning, noon and night it was his theme. Though our hearts bled at his sudden departure, depriving us of a dear and affectionate father, and thus breaking the circle of eleven I had hoped to present at your festival, yet I had determined, as far as possi- ble, to forget my affliction, and serve you to the best of my ability.
But, alas ! how little do we know what a day may bring forth! The ways of Providence are past finding out.
It was hard for me to see a fortune just within my grasp, swept from me for- ever in the twinkling of an eye, by devouring fire. It was heart-rending for me to hold in my arms a dying father ; and now imagine my bitter anguish as I stand by the bedside night and day, of my poor, sick, dying son. It is this double affliction that keeps me from you to-day, and much as I regret this ab- absence, and much as you are disappointed, yet I sincerely hope and pray that you and your people will bear with me in this affliction, and justify me in my ab- sence from the duties you had assigned me ; painful as it is to me, and embar- rassing as it is to you. It would have been my pride to be with you, and to pre- sent my dear father to you, thus delighting him. But an all-wise Providence has ordered it otherwise ! Man proposes, God disposes. Wishing you much success, I remain, with much esteem, your obedient servant, I. H. SILSBY.
16
THE CENTENNIAL.
Rev. Amos Foster being invited, acted as President of the day in the absence of Col. Silsby. The opening prayer was made by Rev. Davis Brainerd of Lyme, Ct. The following song of greet- ing, composed by Miss L. Cummings of Ashburnham, Mass., was sung by the choir :
SONG OF WELCOME. · TUNE-Edinburg.
We welcome our absent ones home, with a zest,
From the North and the South, from the East and the West- For Acworth a true mother's heart would display, As she gathers her children around her to-day.
" Happy greeting to all-Happy greeting to all- Happy greeting-Happy greeting, Happy greeting to all."
To the sweet scenes of childhood, we welcome you back, · To wander again o'er each turf-beaten track- And children adopted, who hither have come, Our birthright shall share in the ancestral home ! " Happy greeting to all"-&c.
We welcome you all, to our glorious hills- To our beautiful river, and bright dancing rills- To our noble old forests-so dense, and so grand, The homes of our song-birds-the pride of our land. " Happy greeting to all "-&c.
To our dear sacred altars, we welcome you, too; Our homes and our fire-sides are waiting for you ; Our hearts' cherished treasures-our own precious friends Are the very best gifts the All-merciful sends ! " Happy greeting to all"-&c.
The aged we welcome, with reverence due, And cordial affection, from hearts that are true ; Our hands to all others we freely extend, And meet every one as a personal friend. " Happy greeting to all "-&c.
Then let us rejoice, this Centennial Day, Enjoying the bright hours of life while we may ; When Fruit, Buds and Blossoms together we see, Unitedly crowning our Century Tree! "Happy greeting to all"-&c.
.
.
-
17
ADDRESS OF WELCOME.
Lyman J. Brooks, Esq., of Newport, delivered the following address of welcome:
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen :- It is always pleasant to speak words of welcome-to extend hospitalities to our friends, but it is especially so at this time, when in the name of all the citizens of Acworth, I bid you a sincere and hearty welcome.
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