■ v ; '■■■■*: ■','■..;■ OF NEW BRA1NTREE JUNE 19, 1901. -.MA ■M "ft *>©*■'' - ^ ,.>■ ' *# r ^yi ipi(i^v ,;,■"' DDDDDDnaDDDDnnnDDnnnDnannnDDnanD S D □ D H a □ A* M Glory it is by every symbol it embodies, and by every line of its history. The strength of these New Braintree hills has been demonstrated by the patriotism and prowess of the citizens of this town who served in the Civil war. They illustrate the spirit of the patriotic verse quoted by our chivalrous and beloved war governor, John A. Andrew: — " But if we fail. They never fail who die in a great cause, The earth may drink their blood; the block may soak their gore; Their heads may sodden in the sun; their limbs lie strung to castle gates or city walls, But still their spirit walks abroad 1 , Though years elapse and others share as dark a doom, They but augment the deep and sweeping thoughts, Which overpower all others, And conduct the world at last to freedom." Mr. President, I have had a dream, albeit it was a dream with my eyes open. I seemed to see in an elegant park in front of this church edifice a massive and magnificent memorial erected to the memory of the soldiers of '61. It is of granite, of exquisite design, and is known as the "Tufts Soldiers Monument," erected by my opulent friend, your fellow citizen, the orator of the day, Mr. George K. Tufts. The mists obscure my vision, but as nearly as I can decipher, the date of its erection carved upon it is 1903. As my dream continues, I behold to the north of this church, on the site of the Bigelow house a well proportioned, costly and impressive stone structure, on which I read the inscription, "The Gleason Public Library." This is the generous gift of your affluent and munificent townsman, the president- of the day, Hon. Charles A. Gleason. Through the vapor of the near future, I can read on the cornerstone, "Erected in 1905." Again in my dream there appears, in the times when the children of the whole township are transported to the centre of the town lor their education, a spacious and commodious building of brick, with sandstone REMARKS OF REV. HENRY M. PENNIMAN. 87 trimmings, the convenience and pride of New Braintree, which is the "J. T. Webb Public School" building, the gift of your wealthy fellow citizen, Mr. J. T. Webb, who has thus honored himself and honored you. My dream still changes, and I see reared on this height another edi- fice. It is appropriately colonial in its architecture, and artistic in its interior design, and preserves and enshrines the relics of other days, already gathered and gathering, of your local Antiquarian Society. It is the thoughtful and generous gift of your respected townsman, Mr. William Bowdoin, and bears on its front the name, "The Bowdoin Colonial Hall." May these four structures at no distant day crown and grace this noble hilltop. Friends, the strength of these fair hills is, supremely, the people who have inhabited and who inhabit them. Mrs. Browning, in her "Casa Guidi Windows," raising in her poem the question, "What is Italy," where she was writing, makes answer, "It is her men." Listen to her : — " ' Now tell us what is Italy? ' men ask : And others answer, ' Virgil, Cicero, Catullus, Cresar,' What beside? to task The memory closer,—' Why; Boccaccio, Dante, Petrarca,' — and if still the flask Appears to yield its wine by drops too slow, — ' Angelo, Raft'ael, Pergolese,' — all Whose strong hearts beat through stone, or charged again The paints with fire of souls electrical, Or broke up heaven for music." We may adapt her verse to say: now tell us, what is New Braintree? What are these ancient hills? What is America? And we may answer, Washington, Putnam, Warren. What besides, to task the memory closer? Samuel Adams, Webster, Payson, Storrs; and if still the flask appears to yield its wine by drops too slow, Lincoln, Grant, Low- ell, — all whose strong hearts bent through schools, churches and courts, or charged again the homes with fire of souls spiritual, or broke up heaven for manhood. 10. "Selections in Life." Response by Rev. Henry M. Penniman of Berea College, Kv. REMARKS OF REV. HENRY M. PENNIMAN. Friends and Children of Friends: — The difficulty of saying what I want to say in ten minutes reminds me of the difficulty which a good mother with nine children found in trying to board a car. The conductor said, " Madame, are these chil- dren all yours or is this a picnic?" " Sir, these children are all mine and it is no picnic." 88 ANNIVERSARY OF XEW BRAINTREE. * It is no picnic to try to unburden the soul on such an occasion as this, in ten minutes. Selections for Life. There are two kinds of selections in constant operation. The first I will mention is natural selection. This is the term with which scien- tists have seen fit to label the action of those great natural forces which, day and night, ceaselessly operate to bring results. These forces build and destroy, rebuild from ruins of their own making and re-destroying that they may build again more grandly than before. In the mineral and vegetable kingdoms these forces are known in gravi- tation, heat and cold, in wind and rain. Mighty pressures in the contracting earth make the coal from forests made from sunshine. Fires confined in the entrails of the earth have vent by rending the rocky framework of the globe. Frosts attack the mountains and torrents tear the hills; rivers plow the plains and fill the seas; continents rise and sink. In all this ruin there is ever recurring beauty, a constant rebuilding of better types of things departed. This same result is seen in the animal kingdom. Forces operating through nerves are sometimes the same as those working in growing forests and storing mines. Other forces peculiar to nerves co-operate with gravitation, with heat and cold and produce more complex results in heart and brain than in rock and tree. But here in the animal king- dom, surely, swiftly, the building and destroying go on. All along historic records, whether scratched on rocks in prehistoric times or baked in bricks or written on parchment in later ages, the lower type disappears and the higher appears to disappear before increasing beauty and still higher forms of life. We do not tremble before this mighty and mysterious working of unmeasured and immeasurable forces until we enter the domain of man. Here we see sensitive beings exquisitely endowed with instincts and power of emotion, like God himself. This human frame with heart and brain floats into the vast whirl of mighty energies like a wisp of straw in a hurricane of flame. At first the most helpless, at last the mightiest in creation, the human is endowed with the power of another kind of selection, it is that of moral volition. This regal power allows co-operation with all other for good and pleasant results. You and I may appear in life, choose to co-operate with the pulsating energies of the universe for good. But this power of choice is the power that can choose to operate for evil. One human will may co-operate with gravitation to supply the suf- fering and festering city with a bountiful supply of pure water. An- other human will may operate with gravitation to break a dam and flood a valley, destroying life and property. Infinite in variety is the manner and method of volitional life in con- REMARKS OF WILLIAM BOWDOIN. 89 nection with its habitat. In all this terrible heat of action, one philo- sopher has said the results that persist may be called " the survival of the fittest," in other words, the weak perish, the strong live. The late President Porter of Yale said much the same thing when he wrote, " Put a lot of potatoes in a cart and drive over a rough road and the smallest go to the bottom." In this power of moral selection, however weak, man can choose to co-operate with forces making for righteous- ness, which are the strongest in the universe. On and with these he can ride like a ship on the wave, he is lifted and pushed from beneath and above, he is hand in hand with forces more for him than against him. He may select the hand of God and go hand in hand with the Al- mighty. Time does not allow to enlarge. Let me close with a story of a mountain boy in Kentucky. A minister often eat at his father's table. He was always requested to ask a blessing. The first meal after the departure of the minister, the little boy of seven said before the big table full of people, " Pap, don't the minister bless when he's here?" "Yes, son." Ain't it right to bless when he ain't here?" "Yes, son." "Well you jes keep shet. I am going to bless." Then with closed eyes and clasped hands he said, "O Lord, bless all this yere food that's good and that that ain't good we'll let alone. Amen." My last word to the people and friends of my childhood home is this, choose the good and let the evil alone in selections for life. 11. "To the Manor Born." Response by Wm. Bowdoin, Esq., of New Bramtree. REMARKS OF WILLIAM BOWDOIN. To the Manor Born. It was my lot to be born in the town of New Braintree, Mass., in 1S22. It was not for me to be proud of it, or to receive any special encourage- ment or encomium for it. I am thankful that a kind and bei ign provi- dence has contributed the elements of life, so that I might continue until the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of the town of New Braintree, Mass. I will say in the sentiment of t he Hon. Daniel Webster in his defense of the Union and constitution and his native New England in the Senate of the United States in 1830: " I shall enter no encomium upon New Braintree for she needs none. We have her history. The world knows it by heart. The past at least is secure." Some historian will record its future history for future generations. May he be actuated by the same devout principles which have carried along the town for one hundred and fifty years past. 90 ANNIVERSARY OF NEW BRAINTREE. Think what great opportunities for every kind and sort of industry we. can enjoy at the present day. Think how wonderful and marvellous are the works and products of mind and genius during the last one hundred and fifty years; more discoveries, more inventions and greater utility of their uses than all previous years combined. "We are heirs of all ages." We may look for greater and more general, useful and cheap inventions to help the poor and medium classes of society in this twentieth century. A visit to the Pan-American exhibition, by the electric department, will convince any one interested that we have a power in electricity which will revolutionize the power of the world, and be a cheaper medium. There has been great progress in develop- ing Benjamin Franklin's discovery of 1744. The nations of the earth will honor him as a benefactor through all ages. The nineteenth century is crowded with modern triumphs of skill. It would fill libraries to describe and illustrate them. No age of the world can compare with the last one hundred years in progress. A few words in regard to our town. The pioneers of this town were stal- wart men and women, courageous and honest, governed by principle and fair dealing. Many were representative men, elected by the voters of the town to town and State offices. They were men of ability and dignity of character. They were the ones who were our standard- bearers, and who have been on the watch-towers of our little town, and have given an honorable name to it. May future generations never tarnish it. This age seems to occupy its own independent ground and enjoy its own distinctive honors. Manhood, at the altitude it noir stands, never had such openings into the wealth of the universe. Mankind was never so ready and anxious to unlock the secrets of nature, so wisely stored up by the Infinite for the nineteenth century's development, on to the end of time. Men of this day have measurably lost their sensibility to surprise. Novelty is a commonplace affair. We are living in the money age. The conditions of society make im- perious demands to acquire wealth. It is a potent power. The poor man's aspirations for political or high social position will never realize without "money." It answers all things. The public catch the inspi- ration. The riches of the mountains, rocks and earth have been and are being more eagerly sought for, and men undergo the greatest hazards and privations to get suddenly very rich. Nature is a vast storehouse of resources, an immense arsenal whence men may draw weapons needed in the warfare of poverty, ignorance and feebleness. With all vene- ration for past centuries, their history and results, it is clear to the common mind that the nineteenth century has been a most munificent benefactor to the human race, surpassing by far its predecessors in magni- tude, depth of influence and utility; stirring the hearts of men with a new and perplexing consciousness of an amazing destiny, impelling them forward on a pathway where every step is an ascension toward a more commanding height of greatness and a more vivid consciousness REMARKS OF HENRY K. HYDE. 91 of Deity; and industry has made a great gain by our country's progress. How the pulse of the nation has been quickened and the whole enlight- ened world gone forward. Science and industry mil conspire to add many more wonderful inventions in the twentieth century to the groat catalogue, for the benefit of humanity. Succeeding generations will have here a charge to keep, that this town may retain its standard good name, position and unity of purpose. It must ever be remembered, " Tis education forms the common mind." The old church has been a landmark of honor for nearly one hundred years. It was raised May 13, 1801; dedicated Sept. 12, 1802; rededi- cated Oct. 26, 1846. The original design was made by Ezekiel Baxter, of Spencer, Mass. It was surmounted by a dome, but in 1846 it was removed to the bell-deck, and a becoming steeple took its place grace- fully, through the efforts of Col. Carter of Ware, Mass. Subsequently, the steeple was graced with a new clock with three faces, and we have not been behind since. The church is an honor to the town, admired and revered by all New Braintree. 12. Ware National Bank. Response by its President, Henry K. Hyde, Esq. REMARKS OF HENRY K. HYDE, Esq. Those of us who have been privileged to take the beautiful drive from Ware today probably experienced somewhat different sensations from those of our fellow townsmen who wended their way hither just one hundred years ago in response to an invitation given by the select- men " to all the inhabitants of the town of Ware to work one or more days on the road leading from Swift River to New Braintree free gratis." Though our citizens were then rewarded in a degree for their trouble by the spirits which the selectmen were instructed to furnish as they found necessary, we, in our day, have been more abundantly rewarded by the gracious hospitality so happily in evidence on this occasion. Your historian, in his able and interesting address, dwelt at sonic length on the career of one of your distinguished citizens, Joseph Bow- man, first president of the Hampshire Manufacturers' Bank of Ware. The first condition for the success of any financial institution is the absolute confidence of the public in its officials. There can be no doubt that much of the prosperity which this institution and its successor, the Ware National Bank, have enjoyed was the direct result of the esteem and confidence of all the people of this section in that citizen of New Braintree whose life and work have been so felicitously delineated for us today. On the foundation laid so well by Mr. Bowman and his asso- ciates the modest institution of $100,000 capital started in 1825, has grown to a bank of $1,000,000 assets; while its companion, the Ware Savings Bank, has deposits exceeding in size the total assessed valuation y 92 ANNIVERSARY OF NEW BRA1NTREE. of the town, and over eight thousand depositors. We are glad to ac- knowledge the debt we are under to him. The best product of the hill town must be men, and we trust that in the next one hundred and fifty years there may go forth from this well loved village many men wlio will serve the best interests of the community as faithfully as did Joseph Bowman. 13. "True American Citizenship." Response by Rev. Michael T. O'Brien of Worcester. REMARKS OF REV. MICHAEL T. O'BRIEN, OF WORCESTER. Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: — I can assure you that the surprise which was given me by your com- mittee in extending the unlooked-for courtesy to be a speaker on this your festal day, has been in a measure dissipated by your warm welcome, which makes me feel that I am home again. Coming here at the age of eleven years from my native town, Barre, I have recognized New Braintree ever since, some twenty-seven or twenty-eight years, as my home. And what place is there imaginable around which are centred our most cherished hopes, entwined with the most endearing enchantments that no matter to what distant lands we may betake ourselves, or in whatsoever walk of life we may find ourselves, toward which our thoughts in fondest recollections will ever stray? It is home, sweet home. No matter how humble, how common- place or how old fashioned it may be. And therefore I rejoice with you in being home again to share with you the pleasure of our town's celebration. In response to the sentiment, " True American citizenship, who form it, and how best perfected," we meet with a subject so broad in its scope and so replete with significance, that were hours, rather than the few minutes which are accorded me, spent in considering it, there would still be left unsaid many things of vital importance. We call American citizens all those who have been born in or natural- ized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof. Hence we may discern two classes of people who form our American citizenship. First, those born here in this country, and second, those of foreign birth, but admitted to citizenship either by special legislative enactment or by some form of naturalization under general laws. I believe, Mr. Chairman, I am right. Both classes enjoy alike the protection of the government, and are free to exercise all the rights and privileges which thai government accords; while at the same time each class is bound to defend the constitution, as well as our country's cause and honor. Thai there has been made by some a distinction between the native born and 1 he naturalized citizen, and even t he descendants of naturalized citizens, we do not, we cannot deny; of such opinionists we can only say that they are the Leasl American of all. For the great principle REMARKS OF REV. MICHAEL T. O'BRIEN. 93 of true Americanism, if we may use the word, or of true American citizenship is, "That merit makes the man." It places every man on his own two feet, and says to him, " Be a man, and you shall be esteemed according to your worth as a man. You shall be commended only for your personal merits, or you shall be made to suffer only for your per- sonal demerits." This is true Americanism; it is this which has been our boast, which has constituted our country's true glory. This is the legacy we have inherited and which we are to hold as a sacred trust, and must preserve in all its purity, integrity and activity if we would not prove ourselves "degenerate sons of noble sires." The fair name, American citizenship, is like a great and spotless scroll upon which all, irrespective of race, or color, or creed, may write their names, and pledge their honor, their loyalty and support, and, if need be, even their heart's best blood in its sacred cause. That many have written their names thereon, brings before our mind the fact that the naturalized citizens form no inconsiderable portion of our nation's population, and by no means the least important part. From almost every land under the heavens do we find coming to our shores, as to a haven of peace, those whom persecution, oppression, penury and liberty of conscience to serve their God as they had learned to do at their mother's knee, have driven hitherward; and without these exiles what would our country be today? For who have leveled our forests, cleared our plains, worked our mines, cultivated our farms, operated our mechanical industries, fought our battles on land and on sea? We need but take the scroll of honor and read their names emblazoned there in glory, and we will find that whilst not all are of foreign birth, yet no small number will be found who were not born on American soil. Yet all the while their foreign birth and ancestry did not make them the less true to our country, nor did they shed their blood the less freely for our national defense and to keep floating aloft gloriously and tri- umphantly our God blest stars and stripes. In speaking thus of foreign ancestors, I am but defending your honor and mine, for all our ancestors were of foreign birth if we but trace them back for a few generations; nor do I mean to insinuate that the native born American has not done his duty. But if our principle of true Americanism is true, — that merit makes the man, — let all honor and glory be given to him to whom honor and glory is due, no matter what country may have given him birth, no matter before what altar he prayed to his God. Realizing then the personality of those who make up our American citizenship, its perfection can best be attained by being true and faithful followers of our constitution. Let us welcome to our hearths and our homes every worthy exile, whether from England or Ireland or France or Germany, who is animated by noble endeavor; and in particular let us welcome those whose aspirations are to serve God first, last and forever. For he who serves God best is the truer friend, the nobler man and the best, the most perfect type of true American citizenship. 94 ANNIVERSARY OF NEW BRAINTREE. 14. Our Sister Towns, — The Town of Hard wick. Response by Rev. Harlan Paige of Hardwick. REMARKS OF REV. HARLAN PAIGE OF HARDWICK. The town of Hardwick extends her congratulations to New Braintree on this her festal day. She rejoices with yon in all your prosperity. This is rightfully the day for the sons and daughters 6f New Brain- tree, and in view of that I must not detain you long, but rather give way to them. Now friends, we stand here with one hundred and fifty years accom- plished. We look with pride on the past. It is right we should. We have heard much today of the noted and distinguished of New Brain- tree. But I include you all. Looking into your faces and knowing so well the people of this town, I affirm the future resides with you; the future success of New Braintree will depend on what you each do in these schools, on these farms, in your households and daily life. How much the prosperity of your town is due to the labors of the ministers who have preached from this desk! What a grand man Dr. Fiske was; he was not merely an apostle of religious truth, but an affable host, a promoter of liberty and the spokesman of this people on many occasions. But I must not detain you longer. May great prosperity be yours in the years to come, and I am sure we shall all part lighter hearted and warmer friends for this day's festival. 15. The failure of Braintree Farms and the West Wing- to unite did not prevent the union of their sons and daughters. Response by Deacon Jesse Allen of Oakham. REMARKS OF DEACON JESSE ALLEN OF OAKHAM. Response of town of Oakham to the sentiment, "The failure of Brain- tree Farms and the West Wing to unite did not prevent the union of their sons and daughters." In consulting the old records of the town of Oakham, I find many evidences of the truth of the proposed sentiment. On July 3d, 1791, Percival Hall, Esq., of New Braintree, and Betsey White of Oakham, were "outpublished." Also on July 28th, 1799, Dr. John Field of Oakham, and Rhoda Bowman of New Braintree. Maj. Henry Penni- man of New Braintree and Lucy Allen of Oakham, Dec. 19, 1806. Lieut. Benjamin Little of New Braintree and Hannah Allen of Oakham, on March 3, 1807. Scores of other names could be added to those already given, of those who, regardless of town lines, sought and found their "heart's desire," as did those whose names have already been given. REMARKS OF HON. LEDYARD BILL. 95 I hold in my hand a very ancient looking Record Book. It is that of the "Washington Grenadiers," a company made up of the stalwart sons of New Braintree and Oakham, and organized nearly a century ago. By this book we find that the sons of these sister towns believed in union in military affairs, and active service if they were needed. On the 13th of September. 1814, they were suddenly summoned to report for duty at 5 a. m., on Oakham Common, armed and equipped ready to march to Boston, which was then in great peril from the "British." They responded promptly, and after receiving the aged pastor's bles- sing, amid the tearful goodbyes of parents and friends, under the leader- ship of Capt. Win. Crawford, proceeded at once to Boston, remaining there about two months, when, the danger being passed, they marched home again. For many years both towns were justly proud of their military company, which comprised their choicest and most active young men. The last surviving member of the original company, Sergeant Stephen Lincoln, died a few years since at the age of ninety-three. A short time before his death, he sent for me and committed this book to my care. It will be of great and increasing interest to both towns as time goes on. 16. The Town of Paxton. Response by Hon. Ledyard Bill. REMARKS OF HON. LEDYARD BILL OF PAXTON. On being called on by the presiding officer. Mr. Bill said, in part : I am very glad to be present and join in the festivities of this anni- versary. I feel honored in being a guest on this occasion, and while I have no "beaten oil" of speech, am pleased to bring the congratula- tions of the people of my town to the people of New Braintree for their grand history. New Braintree was a typical New England town. Its early settlers were devout men and women, who sought to better their condition and were willing to labor " in season and out of season" to establish homes, enjoy liberty of conscience; and prized, as did their ancestors, freedom from oppressive laws and all imperial forms of government. The town of New Braintree has enjoyed for very many years in the past a most enviable reputation, both as to the high character of her citizens and also the products of her soil. For more than half a cen- tury she had a prominent place in the larger markets of the Common- wealth. All of the leading products of the dairy and her cattle upon "a thousand hills," as it were, were notable for their quality and as nearly perfect in production as any community could show. But while all this is highly praiseworthy and to be emulated by all agricultural communities, yet there is still another crop, the product 96 ANNIVERSARY OF NEW BRAINTREE. fit her soil, which is a thousand times better and of a far higher value. I refer to the generations of manly men born and reared in New Brain- tree. No town of its size has sent from her borders more men and women who have been more influential or more useful to their country and their kind than have the sons and daughters of this beautiful town. I have been greatly interested in the address of your historian, who has so graphically sketched the salient, points in the town's history and given much valuable data as to the early settlement and family histories, which should be carefully treasured, and if possible preserved for those who shall come after you. It will be invaluable to them, as also to the student of history. Again, Mr. President, I congratulate you and through you the people of New Braintree for this happily conceived and happily executed cele- bration. 17. The Town of West Brookfield. Response by Hon. E. B. Lynde. REMARKS OF HON. E. B. LYNDE. Mr. President, past and present citizens of New Braintree: — It is with pleasure I bring to you on this anniversary occasion the hearty congratulations of West Brookfield. During the long historic period an intimate and friendly relation has existed between the towns. A part of your territory (twelve hundred acres), on its southern border was once a part of the mother town of West Brookfield, settled in 1660, forming a connecting link between the coast and the Connecticut River. And in 1857, when the district system of representation in the General Court superseded that- of the town, New Braintree and West Brook- field were placed in the same representative district. At the present time we are in the same school district, under the supervision of the same superintendent. New Braintree was once one of the leading, influential and wealthy towns of Worcester County, and is still noted for her hospitality and pleasant social gatherings. My remembrance of her runs back almost fourscore years. I remem- ber the Bowmans, Pennimans, Mixters, Tidds, Gleasons, Woods, Fiskes, Millers, Bigelows and many others whose influence was felt in County and State. At that time New Braintree was called an aristocratic town. Her farms were among the most productive and valuable in the County, and the owner of one of them was thought to be about as well fixed as one could be in this world. For some years past the market value of these farms has been decreasing and the population growing less. In this New Braintree is not alone, the same is true of almost all the small towns of New England. We have entered upon a time, an era, which came to the civilizations of the past, centralization ; REMARKS OF HON. THOMAS P. ROOT. 97 centralization of population, wealth and power, which was at the root of their decline, and which threatens our boasted civilization. The shrinkage in farm values and population in New Braintree is not be- cause her sons have deteriorated, but because of the great change that has taken place in the industrial life of the State, offering greater induce- ments to capital than farming. As I remember many of the distinguished citizens of New Braintree in the height of her prosperity and influence, so I now know many of their sons, who are fully equal to and who fill as ably the places they are called upon to occupy as did their fathers. Who among those of the past could have written so completely and elegantly the history of the town as has your honored citizen and son, the orator of the day. 18. The Town of Barre. Response by Hon. Thomas P. Root. REMARKS OF HON. THOMAS P. ROOT. Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen, Neighbors of New Braintree: — I esteem it a rare privilege to stand here, one of many others, to repre- sent the fellow-feeling of the towns which are on your borders. Others there are who may more fittingly represent their localities, but be assured, my friends, no town sends more heartfelt greetings than the town I represent ; and here and now I extend to you the hearty greetings of Barre on this your one hundred and fiftieth anniversary. We all have a common inheritance, we all have a common pride, in what our ancestors have achieved, from that primeval time in 1686, when certain Indians (of unpronounceable name), conveyed to Messrs. Willard, Foster, Stevens and others, for the sum of twenty-three pounds sterling, a certain tract of land in this immediate vicinity, containing twelve miles square, according to the metes and bounds described in the indenture. Some localities in this vicinity still retain the Indian cognomen of their tribal inhabitants. You have, on your southern borders the name given by the ancient sons of the forest, "Quobauge"; while we on our northern have that of the " Niche woag." During the French and Indian wars, we shared with you the contest for English supremacy. And still later, when King George failed to comprehend the destiny of the New World, our fathers endured with yours the seven long years of hardship and struggle for freedom and equal rights. History records this. You do not expect me to speak of your present people and surround- ings; they speak for themselves. Neither do you expect me to give personal reminiscences of one hundred and fifty years ago. I prefer to take middle ground in my brief moment, in simply alluding to the men I knew forty to fifty years since. Then the homesteads were owned 98 ANNIVERSARY OF NEW BRAINTREE. by the grandparents or perhaps parents, of some of those whom we see here. These fertile acres were cultivated by energetic, intelligent, broadminded men, who were born and reared here. T recall with pleasure the names of Capt. Tidd, the elder Gleasons, Messrs. Wilcox, Thompson, Hamilton, Hale and a long line of others who have closed their activities. Noble ancestry! You do well this day to hold this festival to their memory, and their ancestors, thus stamping indelibly their record on the minds of your children, and children's children; not forgetting the noble part they took in the trials of thirty-seven to forty-one years ago, when your sons and ours helped to preserve the nation. Here we stand today, while nature is clothed with all her robes of verdant beauty; while our common country has reached to the highest point of fame in all intellectual and material grandeur which the world has ever known. We who represent the rural country towns are as units; yet in my judgment, from these units, small but distinct mu- nicipalities, has come the virile forces that have energized and made possible the. great results of our State and nation as we see them in this first year of the twentieth century. Again, let me assure you, people of New Braintree, of the kindly and heartfelt greetings of the people of Barre, and our wish for your future prosperity. At the close of the exercises in the afternoon the follow- ing resolutions were offered by Rev. Charles S. Brooks and unanimously adopted : Resolved, that we, the former residents of New Braintree, and guests of the day, hereby express our high and hearty appreciation of the action of the present citizens in observing the 150th anniversary of the origin of this town, and of making it possible for us to participate in this observance, and that we tender them our gratitude for their action, and to the Com- mittee of Arrangements and to the ladies and citizens for their generous hospitality. Resolved, that we desire to put on record our sense of indebtedness to the President of the Day for his felicitous and forceful address of welcome, and to the Historian of the Day for his able, graphic and exhaustive history of this township, and that we express our desire for a copy of both addresses for publication in connection with the proceedings of the day. LETTERS. 99 LETTERS. Los Angeles, Cal., May 7, 1901. To the Committee of Arrangements for the Observance of the \50th Anni- versary of the Town of New Braintree : I received your note concerning this matter, and send greetings and congratulations to you upon this occasion, hoping you will have a pleasant and profitable time in your exercises. I should be ex- ceedingly glad to be present with you and participate in the exercises, and be a listener to what may be said concerning this event, but as I cannot, I must content myself by sending you my note of sympathy and love, wishing you success and satisfaction in carrying out the programme. As I claim to be a native of New Braintree, having been born there in the year 1820, as the records of the town will show, I have profound re- spect for Massachusetts and the little town of New Braintree that gave me birth as a natural consequence. And as some writer has said, " There is but one Niagara," I will make the same proclamation in part. There is but one New Braintree, and she is ours, yesterday, today and forever ; and when I take a retrospective view of the years of comparative hap- piness and pleasure I enjoyed in the sixty-four years that I spent in New Braintree, it causes a feeling of regret when I think the proba- bility is I never again will see New Braintree through natural eyes. While I am well pleased with my condition and surroundings here in this genial climate of California, I have no reason to complain, yet 1 am constrained to exclaim as Shakspere did — "Not that I love Brutus less hut Casar more." So then I may say, not that I love California less, but Massachusetts and New Braintree more. I am something of the opinion of the Irishman when he came to America. He says, ' ' you Yankees brag about your America, but it don't compare with Ireland at all, not at all. The days in America arc no more than half as long as they are in Ireland, be gorra, and that's not nil. There is not as many of them." And I would suggest that our mothers and our native countries are hard to be beaten. New Braintree is my native place and it would be unnatural for me to say that I loved my adopted State of California more than my old town of New Braintree and State of Massachusetts, although it may be so in some respects and in others not equal. Massa- chusetts has been the birthplace of some of the greatest men the world has ever produced. Boston is the " Hub," and these great men have been the spokes that have supported the rim of that great wheel that has 100 ANNIVERSARY OF NEW BRAINTREE. in some degree revolutionized the World. Massachusetts is made of good material and has the elements that produce greatness, other- wise the great men would not have been there. I think there are plenty of the same element left, and as New Braintree is one of her daughters, who knows but some of the progeny of the old settlers of the town may not develop into greatness and even more than fill the places of their predecessors. Be hopeful, we cannot fell what may come ; great discoveries are being made and we don't know what a day may bring forth. Brothers and friends of New Braintree, you have much to encourage you to go on with renewed energy; let your past experience serve as a new impetus to set examples that are worthy of imitation. Look around you, over the world, and see the amount of crime com- mitted and ask yourselves how much of it can be placed in New Brain- tree? Almost exempt ! Use the Golden Rule, carry it in your pockets, measure everything by it and it will be sure and be correct. Using this and obeying the laws of Nature will bring blessings that nothing else will or can. My sym- pathy is with New Braintree and her inhabitants. Hoping you will keep her lined up above par, as she ever has been, I trust her in your hands in the coming future. Kindly yours, F. O. WARNER. De Lttz, Cal., June 7th, 1901. Fellow-Citizens of A T ew Braintree. Dear Friends : The announcement of your purpose to celebrate the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the corporation of the town, is at hand. The enterprise meets my hearty approval, and I deeply regret my inability to be personally present. New Braintree is a tree that was well planted, and has been well cared for all these years. It was set on a hill and cannot be hid. It has borne a variety of choice fruit, and is still healthy and vigorous. Long may it wave. While I cannot claim to be a native-born citizen of New Braintree, it was the birth-place of my wife, Susan, and three of our children. More than that, it was in New Braintree that my Christian life began, and why may I not adopt the language of David and say, "The Lord shall count, when He writeth up the people, that this man was born there "? At any rate, my heart is with you today as a son and brother, and my soul rejoices in this goodly fellowship. Most heartily yours, HENRY M. DANIELS. LETTERS. 101 IN REMEMBRANCE OF NEW BRAINTREE'S ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH BIRTHDAY. Upon the ocean shores of time, The waves of years have rolled, And marked its bands upon the sands, A Century — and yet a half, all told, Since 'mong the vales, and tree-crowned hills, Beneath New England's skies, A handful then, of stalwart men, Who, bound by common ties, Peace, happiness and right, Put hand to plow, — faltered nor fell — Though days were long, and troubles strong, They fought life's battles well ; Till plenty smiled at every door, And want was stranger in the land. Each flowing rill, each grove and hill. Voiced calm content on every hand Each farm-house, 'neath New England elms, Each farm-yard, stocked so well, Each orchard rare, and meadow fair, A charming tale they tell. In the churchyard, lie at rest, Those whose work for e'er is o'er, They budded well, their works excel, Remembrance theirs, in gracious store. While upon the shores of time, Shall roll the waves of years, While o'er its foam, Fate's ships shall roam, Bringing happiness, or tears. May every ship sail to your port, With bounties rich as gold, That all may share, who love and care, For New Braintree so old. ARABELLA WARNER CLEVELAND, 4323 Agricultural Ave., Los Angeles, California. University, June 10th, 1901. To the Committee for the Celebration of Neiv Braintree's 150th Birthday : I was born in New Braintree in the year 1810, on the 30th of October. Most of the people I knew when living there have crossed the river, but *7 102 ANNIVERSARY OF NEW BRAINTREE. few are left there that I now know. Have not made my home then 1 much of the time since 1831 or 2. Most of the oldest people now living there I presume knew my father, who was born in that town, and died there in 1870. My brother. R. E. Warner, was the last one of our family who was left there. My native land is still dear to me; altho' I have left it I would like to visit it. "Yes, my native land, I love thee, All thy scenes, I love them well." My childhood's hours were spent there, — some of the happiest of my life ; ' 'Friends, connexions, happy country, Can I say a last, farewell, Can I leave thee, Far in distant lands to dwell." Mv 90th birthday was celebrated here. J don't know as you can read this — can't see to follow lines. Please overlook all mistakes. Yours truly, NANCY WARNER SNOW MEMORIAL TABLETS IN TOWN HALL, CONTAINING NAMES OF SOLDIERS FROM NEW BRAINTREE IN THE CIVIL WAR. ROLL OF HONOR. SECOND REGIMENT. James Butler, Company E. FIFTEENTH REGIMENT. Josiah Converse, Company F. Richard T. Davis, " " Sergt. Geo. A. Davis," " Killed Oct. 14, 1863. Harrison S. Lamb, Company F. Sidney Smith, Jr., " " Killed Oct. 21, 1863, Ball's Bluff, Va. SIXTEENTH REGIMENT. John Birmingham, Company E. Samuel E. Judkins, " " TWENTY-FIRST REGIMENT. Wm. Jerome, Company K. TWENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT. Sergt. Henry H. Bush, Company B. Prisoner 6 months and 10 days First Lieut. Lyman A. Holmes, Company C. TWENTY-FIFTH REGIMENT. Charles I. Wetiierell, Company I. Killed June 18, 1864. George Cooley, Company C. Wilfred Plant, " H. 104 ANNIVERSARY OF NEW BRAINTREE. TWENTY-SIXTH REGIMENT. Emile Meyer, Company K. THIRTY-FIRST REGIMENT. Alfred Barrett, Company G. William Hunter. 6th Battery Light Artillery, THIRTY-FOURTH REGIMENT. Nahum Ayers, Company D. Christopher Goddard, Company G. Peter MyCue, Company G. THIRTY-SIXTH REGIMENT. Daniel W. Dean, Company K. Died, 1862. FIFTY FIRST REGIMENT. Lorin S. Barlow, Company A. Died May 17, 1863. Alfred D. Barr, Company A. Albert A. Thresher, " " George Woods, Company A. Michael Bowen, " F. Re-enlisted in 57th Regiment for 3 years. FIFTY-THIRD REGIMENT. Franklin D. Brigham, Company K. Benjamin Fag an. Theodore S. Pierce, Company F. Died May 11, 1863, at Birwick Bay, La. Elisiia S. Randall, Company F. Died April 25, 1863, at Baton Rouge, La. George Knight, Company F. Killed at Port Hudson, June 14. 1863. FORTY-SECOND REGIMENT. Brigham Peirce, Company K. FIFTY-FIRST REGIMENT. Rlfus Boyden, Company A. Died Aug. 5, 1863. TABLETS. 105 TWENTY-FIRST REGIMENT. Oliver P. Judkins, Company K. FIFTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT. Charles H. Barnes, Company F. John Corbet, " E. Died May 6, 1864, at Wilderness, Va. Michael McCarty, Company E. Charles H. Parker, " kk James N. Needham, " K. Q. M. 46tb Regiment. Re-enlisted May 10, 1864, in Company K, 57th Regiment. FIRST CAVALRY. David D. Peirce. VETERAN RESERVE CORPS. John Bavell, Regular Army. Thomas Conners, 11th Infantry. SECOND CAVALRY. Charles Jones. SIXTIETH REGIMENT. A. Woodcock, Company F. Alfred D. Green, Company D. 8th Illinois Infantry. Died June, 1862, in St. Louis Gen. Hospital. TWENTIETH IOWA REGIMENT. John D. Fobes, Company F. FORTY-SECOND REGIMENT. George F. Vaughn, Company H.