Mrs. C.H. Obear's 78th Birthday Party

Surprise Party in Bank Village

1898

BANK VILLAGE. 1820-1808. 

   Mrs. C. H. Obear's 78th birthday, July 7, was honored by a large gathering of friends at the Cong. church, who came from far and near to extend their congratulations. To hear the greetings was to believe that "a kindly word is one of the noblest things a man can leave on the sensitive ear of mankind." She received her friends with her ever genial spirit, her face radiant with joy and gratitude for the kindly tribute of esteem, which, up to the morning of that day, had been wholly unexpected. Mrs. Anabel Conant, her daughter from Worcester had been notified of the event, and with her little Hope Conant had arrived the day previous. The unavoidable absence of her only son, Frank Obear of Nashua was much regretted. 

   Mrs. Obear was born in Laconia, N.H. In the spring of 1843 she was recommended to Dea. Stevens of New Ipswich as the right teacher for the Bank Village school, then numbering nearly 50 pupils of all ages. On the morning of entering upon her task, she met the superintending committee-Rev. Samuel Lee, Jacob Graves and Ephraim Farrar-for an examination, which lasted until the boys and girls grew a little impatient and began to consider whether it was best to stay at the school house or go home. Wages were low, terms were long and the work difficult, but the teacher was successful and remained in the town schools until she began to teach the second generation. The children have known her as a friend and many grown- up boys and girls have in mind some happy rhyme from her busy pen, written in years past for a Children's Fair or a Sunday school concert, as the case might be. 

   In every line of church work her advice and assistance has been eagerly sought. In every effort for the public good she was ably seconded nearly 40 years by her husband, Clark H. Obear, to whom she was married, June 8, 1818, and whose death occurred, April 11, 1888. Her mind is still bright and clear. her step firm and her health fairly good. 

   Supper was served at 6 p. m. in the church vestry and after the generous feast had been fully enjoyed, Reva. G. F. Bradford, G. F. Merriam and W. R. Thompson were called to speak, and their happy allusions to the town, its institutions and its people and more especially to the one they had been called to honor were heard with much interest Mrs. Hattie McKown then read the following 1898

greeting, written for the occasion by Mrs. Mary M. Tucker:

Not in the number of the years
   The record of our lives is traced; 
Though hopes and fears and smiles and tears 
   From mem'ry cannot be effaced. 

The blessings we have shed around 
   In deeds of sympathy and love, 
These are the sum, and will be found 
   In God's "Remembrance Book" above. 

How full the years we celebrate,
   Of our good neighbor friend today, 
God spare her long before the gate 
   Shall open into endless day! 

   Mrs Obear next arose and expressed sincerest gratitude for every kindness she had received. Miss Sarah F. Lee spoke in a happy vein, and nearly succeeded in convincing her hearers that Mrs. Obear still ranked among the youthful ones. In behalf of her brother and herself, and their children, Mrs. Anabel Conant gracefully thanked the people for their remembrance of her mother's birthday. With the singing of "God be with you till we meet again," one of the happiest "good times" of the season was over. 

   Noticeable among the guests were Mrs. Sarah K. Bennett of 87 years, and Dea. John Hildreth, 89, who said he spent the morning at work in the hay- field. 

   Among the many guests were Miss Frances Barr, Mrs. Sarah Perry, Mrs. William A. Preston, John Preston, Mrs. Frederick Jones, Mrs. J. L. Hildreth and Mrs. Aimee of Cambridge, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Preston, Mrs John Cummings and Miss Hale of New York, Mrs. Fred A. Brooks, Mrs. J. P. Perry, Miss Maria Perry, Mrs. Gould and daughter, Mrs. Albert Brooks and George Brooks of Ashby, Mrs. Emma Hardison of Greenfield, Mrs. John Clark, Mrs. H. N Goldsmith, Mr. and Mrs. Al Travis, Mrs. James of Manchester, Mrs. Wilson, Mr. Rogers, Mrs George and Mrs. Fred Lowe. Misses Caroline Lowe, Mabel Thayer, Kate and Mary Bucknam, Abbie Wilson, Mrs. Willian Corbett, Miss Lizzie Hale, Mrs. George Merriam of Greenville, Mrs. William Bucknam, Mrs. Putnam, Mrs. Frank Whittemore, Mrs. Bradford, Mrs. Oliver Perry, Mrs. Samuel Thayer, Mrs. Walter Thayer, Miss Ettie Thayer, Mrs. Charles Robbins, Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Tenney, Mrs. Howe, Mrs. James B. Davis. 

   Experience leads Mrs Obear to believe such pleasant hours in life are invigorators as well as beautifiers, as she rose next morning, feeling not only well, but 10 years younger than the day before.

Lyda Ann Swazey Obear

NEW IPSWICH, N. H., Jan. 30.-Mrs. Lyda Ann (Swazey) Obear, a retired school teacher, died here yesterday aged 98 years, 6 months and 21 days. Until relatively recently she retained a keen interest in current events. Mrs. Obear had a remarkable memory of early day history and of the participation of New Hampshire in the Civil war.

James Roger diary entry

November 26th 1908 (Thursday) - First Thanksgiving without Hamish

Dull and misty, slight drizzles. Wind east to west. Roads very muddy. Mild temperature. David choring round fitting stall for Pete and putting a new window in. I swept Hall and filled lamps for dance in Hall tonight. Got letter from Hamish and p.c. from Johnnie at Bayshore. This has been a very quiet Thanksgiving. Few teams around. Our first Thanksgiving without Hamish.

New Ipswich Historical Society Meeting

We met at the UNHEATED Historical Society for the last meeting of 2024. It has been quite a year. We had programs, received “new” artifacts, many of which you have seen on this newsletter. We discussed our future plans for the society. Did you know that you can help us? It only costs $15 a year to become a member (individual tier). Otherwise we may have to start burning old town reports to stay warm.