Memorial of the 100Th Anniversary of the Settlement of Dennysville, Maine, 1886 Dennysville (Me.)
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The University of Maine DigitalCommons@UMaine Maine Town Documents Maine Government Documents 1886 Memorial of the 100th anniversary of the settlement of Dennysville, Maine, 1886 Dennysville (Me.) Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/towndocs Repository Citation Dennysville (Me.), "Memorial of the 100th anniversary of the settlement of Dennysville, Maine, 1886" (1886). Maine Town Documents. 195. https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/towndocs/195 This Book is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@UMaine. It has been accepted for inclusion in Maine Town Documents by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@UMaine. For more information, please contact [email protected]. OLIN #1 Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924074296926 CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 3 1924 074 296 926 In compliance witii current copyright law, Cornell University Library produced this replacement volume on paper that meets the ANSI Standard Z39.48-1984 to replace the irreparably deteriorated original. 1994 CONTENTS. PAGE ACCODXT OF THE C'ELEIiKATKl.V, 1!Y RKV. C'IIAS. WlllTTIEl!, 5 LErrEi;« fi'.oji Persons Invited, . 10 Memokiai, Addhess. by Geo];ge F. Talbot, 17 P(iE5i. BY Mrs. Iba S. Woodbury, . 48 Keyiew of EDrCATto>>", Morals, A^'I) Religion, by Key. C. WniTriEi:, 51 MuxiciPAL Axi) Statistical History, by P. E. Vose, Est;., 66 Poem: Founders of Dennysville, by P. E. Vose, Esq., 87 Speech of William H. Kilby, Esq., of Boston, 90 Poem, by Rev. A. J. Rich, Fall River, Mass., 94 Appendix, Genealogies of Principal Families, . 99 Tax-Paters, 1807, 114 List of Voters, 1S1.5, • 115 CENTENNIAL COMMEMORATION OF THE SETTLEMENT OF DENNYSVILLE, MAINE. MAY 17TH, 1886. At the annual town meeting, held March 30th, 1885, the propriety of observing the one hundredth anniversary of the settlement of the town was presented, and the town voted to appoint as a committee to make the preliminary arrange- ments, and to report at the next annual town meeting, the following persons, viz., Benjamin Lincoln, T. W. Allan, S. L. Jones, Charles Whittier, Richard H. Dudley, Eben A. Wilder, Fred Gardner. Mr. Dudley having died before the close of the year, Alfred Kilby was, at a later meeting, added to the committee. For the public exercises of centennial day, the committee selected the following persons: Hon. George F. Talbot, to give the general historical address ; P. E. Vose, Esq., to give the municipal history of the plantation and town, including the population and wealth at the several decades, its town officers, its part in the War of the Rebellion, and the gene- alogy of its older families; Rev. Charles Whittier to give a sketch of the moral, educational, and religious interests of the town ; and Mrs. C. A. Woodbury to give a poem. At the town meeting, held March 29th, 1886, the town approved the suggestions of the committee, and appropriated one hundred dollars for the expenses of the centennial, and instructed the committee to make further arrangements. 2 6 DENNTSVILLE CEXTENNIAL. The following circular letter was sent to all the absent sons and daughters of the town, and to all former residents, whose address could be obtained : — 1786. CENTENNIAL OF THE 1886. SETTLEMENT OF DENNYSVILLE. perm.aneut De.-vb Sir : — On the 17th clay of May, 1786, the first settlement was made in this town. At the annual town meeting one year ago, the undersigned were chosen a committee to make the pre- liminary arrangements for the observance of the centennial on the 17th of May, 1880. At the town meeting held this week, the com- mittee reported that Geo. F. Talbot, of Portland, would give the would historical address ; Rev. Charles Whittier, and Mr. P. E. Vose give additional historical and genealogical sketches, and Mrs. C. A. Woodbury would contribute a poem, and that circulars would be sent out, inviting all natives and former residents of the town now living abroad, to return to tlie old town, and join us in observing our cele- bration. The report was accepted by the town, and further arrange- ments were made. You are respectfully invited to be present and participate in the services of commemorating the first one hundred j'ears of our liistory. Xu behalf of the town, respectfully your friends, BBNJA3IIN Lincoln, T. AV. Allan, S, L. JOXES, Charles Whittier, y Committee. Eben a. Wilder, Alfred Kilby, Peederick Gardner,. Dexntsville, April 1, 1886. EVENTS OP THE DAY. The 17th of May dawned with a cloudless sky. The bells on the church, school-house, and vestry rung out their merry peals at sunrise. It had been proposed, if the day should be warm, to have the public exercises on the green, near the original landing. But on account of the rain of the DENNYSVILLE CENTENNIAL. 7 previous day, and the cool air, it was decided to use the Congregational Church for that purpose. The town was decorated with flags. Sign-boards were put up, marking the landing, the site of the first school-house, the old road along the river, and the stump of an old tree that was felled in 1786. The public services began at half-past ten in the morning, and the meeting-house, with extra seats in every availa- ble part, was filled to overflowing. Mr. Benjamin Lincoln was president of the day. Upon the platform were seated Messrs. Theophilus W. Allan, Samuel L. Jones, of Dennys- ville, E. C. Wilder and L. T. Reynolds, of Pembroke, and Mariner H. Wilder, of New York, elderly descendants of the original settlers. In the gallery was the Dennysville Cor- net Band, which, though only recently formed, added much to the interest of the occasion by the excellent and appro- priate music which they executed. The opening prayer was made by Rev. Charles Whittier, pastor of the church. The historical address was then given by Hon. George F. Talbot. The poem by Mrs. Woodbury was read by Miss LiUie C. Vose, as Mrs. Woodbury was unable to be present. The audience then adjourned for dinner. Many of the visitors were entertained at the homes of the citizens. Many others, who came from the surrounding towns, took their lunch at the town hall. Ample provision, including tea and coffee, had been made for the comfort of visitors. The people assembled at two o'clock for the afternoon exercises. After music by the band, letters were read by Miss S. G. Lincoln, from absent natives of Dennysville, and others who had been invited to witness the celebration. The following telegram was sent to Mrs. Sarah L. Tink- hara, of Boston, the only one of Judge Lincoln's children 8 DENNYSVILLB CENTENNIAL. now living,* whose age and feeble health prevented her from being present : — Dennysville, May 17, 1886. To Mrs. Sarah Lincoln Tinkham, 371 Marlboro St., Boston. The people of Dennysville, met to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its settlement, send to the only surviving child of its honored founder, a message of sympathy and affection. Centennial Committee. Later in the day the following reply was received and read to the audience : — Boston, May 17, 1886. To the Centennial Cmnmittee, Dennysville: Many thanks for the kind remembrance of me by the friends of my old home. My children join me in wishing a happy and pros- perous second century for Dennysville. Sarah L. Tinkh^sjsi. Mr. Whittier gave a historical sketch of the moral, religious, and educational iaterests of the town. Mr. P. E. Vose gave the municipal history of the town, its work in the War of the Rebellion, and the genealogy of the leading families. Mr. W. H. Kilby, of Boston, was called upon for a speech, and responded with brief remarks. An invitation was given to all to visit the old Lincoln mansion, built in 1787. The exercises of the afternoon closed by singing Auld Lang Syne, and the benediction. In the evening there was an informal social gathering at the town hall. A poem of one hundred lines, written for the occasion, by Rev. A. J. Rich, of Fall River, Massachu- setts, was read by Mr. Whittier. Speeches were made by George Eastman, George F. Talbot, A. N. Davis, of Milford, Massachusetts, W. W. McLaughlin, Dr. A. R. Lincoln, 'Mrs. Tinkliam died at her home in Bostou, July 23d, 1880, at tlie age ol 79 years. DENNTSVILLE CENTENNIAL. 9 Thomas Robinson, Dr. J. P. Sheahan, W. R. Allan, N. S. Allan, and Mr. Whittier. These speeches contained many- incidents, reminiscences, congratulations, personal tributes, etc., etc. Mr. Benjamin Lincoln, who presided, added much to the interest of this meeting by the felicitous manner in which he introduced the speakers, and by the contributions which he gave to the unwritten history of the town. At a late hour the Doxology was sung and the benediction given. The Committee of Arrangements had provided for an exhibition of centennial relics at the vestry, and invited the people to loan for the day any articles of interest which they might have, and were surprised at the large and valuable collection which was sent to them in response to their invitation. Among the many relics and curiosities, the more noteworthy are named in the following list: — A sword presented to General Lincoln by General Washington. The service sword worn by General Lincoln in the War of the Revolution. General Lincoln's certificate of membership in the Society of the Cinnati, signed by General Washington as President, and by General Knox as Secretary of the society.