Memories Dear - Reunion and Banquet

Students visit Appleton Academy

July, 1892

Transcription

Appleton Academy Visited by Former Pupils. 1892
New Ipswich, N. H., Filled with Gray- Headed Alumni of That Old School.
Over 450 Were Seated at the Banquet Board-New Officers Elected.

NEW IPSWICH, N. H., July. This quaint old New Hampshire town was the scene of much bustle today. Never before were there so many old people gathered within her borders. The occasion was the annual meeting of the Appleton Academy Association, the fourth in the history of the school.
   
   The first was held in 1861. Another was not held again until 1891. Boston was the chosen spot, and last year the sons and daughters gathered around the festive board in that city and talked over the old times passed at this institution
   
   At that meeting it was voted to hold the next reunion in this town. Nature favored the occasion with an ideal day. Old Sol was all radiant with beneficent smiles as he looked down from on high on the incoming barges from Greenville, conveying the quota that arrived from Boston and other cities over the Fitchburg railroad.

   The country roads were alive with vehicles of all descriptions, loaded with old and young sons and daughters of Mother Appleton, and long before noon the time set for dinner had arrived, it was evident that sufficient accommodations had not been provided. It It is estimated that 600 persons were present, while only 450 covers were laid.

   During its century and three years of existence the academy has graduated over 5000 men and women, many of whom have made their mark in the world, as will be seen glancing through the catalogue.

  President John Herbert of Somerville a former principal of the academy, presided at the dinner today. He was the originator of the association that met.

   Dinner was finished about 1 o'clock. When the gathering was called to order, the Appleton quartet of Boston rendered some beautiful selections during the happy hours.

          Spent Under the Tent

   William A. Preston, the present principal of the academy, extended a hearty welcome to all and spoke briefly of the pleasant reminiscences aroused by the occasion.

   Dr. David Thayer of Boston followed. He was introduced as the author of the poem, "Vision," written when he was a pupil of the academy. He referred to his associations with the academy and the anti-slavery movement which he was greatly interested in during his academy days.  Rev. William B. Hill of Poughkeepsie. N. Y. was the next speaker. He was introduced as a sample of the younger alumni of Appleton. He followed by Prof. J. Wesley Churchill of Andover.

   Prof Churchill, after brief introductory remarks, took the Appletonians back to the dear old schooldays by reading Oliver Wendell Holmes "Bill and Joe."

   Prof. Charles H. Chandler of Ripon. Wis.. the next to orate, kept his hearers convulsed with laughter by his witty sayings during the five minutes that was alloted him to express what he termed "nothing." but what was said admirably well. 

   Rev. Perley B. Davis of Hyde Park spoke of his student days and the good times spent at Appleton.

   Bev. Cecil R. P. Bancroft, A. B., A. M.. Ph. D., LL. D., of Phillips Andover, was introduced, not as a crowned head, but one upon whom titles had been conferred.

   Hon. Charles H. Burns of Winton, N. H., was presented as the favorite orator of New Hampshire, After paying many tributes to his teachers, he repeated the piece of poetry spoken by him on graduation day. It was written by Timothy Perry, principal of the academy at the time, Mr. Perry was found to be present today. He was promptly called upon and responded with a glowing tribute to the part Appleton academy has acted in educational work. 

   Attorney-General A. E. Pillsbury of Bot ton was the next to be presented. In doing so President Herbert said he was a lawyer whose eloquence was sufficient to induce a jury to convict a criminal without Any Further Evidence.

   Mr. Pillsbury's address was the gem of the occasion. He spoke of the donkey kept by Principal Rowe, which gave rise to the joke celebrated at that time, that it was kept to supply the place of any teacher who was temporarily disabled.

   Speaking of his schoolmates, he said: "If you wanted to find Melvin O. Adams you would have to ask for Abbie Clark. He did not graduate, so he did not have any verses to recite. He was afraid that he did not behave himself very well." 
The nominating committee then made its report. The following are officers for the ensuing year: 

President, John Herbert, Somerville, Mass.: secretary and treasurer, Charles E. Swett, Boston: vice-presidents, C. F. P. Bancroft. LL. D.. And- over. Mass.: Hon. C. H. Amsdeli. Penacook, N. H.; Dr. J. L. Hildreth. Cambridge, Mass.; Hon. Hosea Kingman. Bridgewater, Mass.; Myron W. Whitney. Watertown. Mass.; Dr. E. A. Murdock, Spencer, Mass.: C. W. Merrill, Cincinnati, O.; Mrs. Jennie Hardy. Arlington. N. Y.; Miss Lottie Wilder. Malden, Mass.

Executive committee, John Herbert, ex officio: Charles E. Swett, exofficio: John H. Bent, Somervine, Mass.: Mrs. Emma Har ison. Somerville, Mass, Mrs. Lizzie Crow ell. Boston: A. B. Hitchcock, Brookline, Mass.: George A. Kimball. Somerville: Hon. Albert E. Pillsbury, Boston: Hon. C. H. Burns. Wilton. N. H.: F. W. Preston, New Ipswich, N. H. Stephen H. Thayer, Tarrytown, N. Y.: Timothy Perry. Brook lyn. N. Y.: Prof. F. Emerson, Hanover, N.H.

Advisory committee, Rev. Perley B. Davis, Hyde Park. Mass.: Miss Sarah F. Lee, New Ipswich, N. H.: William A. Preston, New Ipswich. N. H: Mrs. Julia Houston, West Haverhill, Mass.; Dr. Henry H. Piper, Som- erville, Mass.; George Whiting. Lexington: N. F. Dunphe, Boston: F. S. Stimson, Bos ton.

After a selection by a quartet composed of Mrs. Abbie (Clark) Ford, Mrs. Lizzie (Clark) Crowell, Mrs. Hattie (Clark) McCowen and Mrs. Lottie (Brooks) Preston, all graduates of the academy and residents of New Ipswich, the meeting adjourned, to mingle and revive old acquaintances and memories.

James Roger diary entry

25th August 1913

Cold morning; beautiful clear day; wind north and north west. David at Store. I pumped water, etc. for washing, and Alice and I cleaned up the Hall in the morning. I cut Corbin lot and went golfing in afternoon with John Cummings, who was 2 up on 15 holes. Got letter from Hamish.

---