Reminiscences of Children's Fair (Page 38 - 40)

QUARTER CENTENNIAL, OCTOBER 1887

Records and Reminiscences of Children’s Fair

“Seeking to make idle hours useful hours, I have written it in my old age Please accept my old RECORDS AND REMINISCENCES.” - C. H. Obear - July 8, 1911

Pages 38 - 40

QUARTER CENTENNIAL, OCTOBER 1887

I shall be pardoned if I make both Record and Reminiscences join in giving the year 1887 prominence in my talk with you, dear friends. C. H. Obear, the first permanent secretary after 1873, still retained his office, and in his own daily private journal and in the yearly report of the fair, he gave more extensive space than usual to a description of this Twenty-fifth Anniversary. They were his last. Before the next October he had "passed on" to give his own record before the "Judge of all the earth." He had been an earnest worker and generous contributor to the fair from its first inception, and his keen interest in it never knew abatement. He departed suddenly, as you know, April 11th, 1888.

I copy from his secretary's book and his private journal, which was kept without interruption from 1836 to the night of his death in 1888. The especial observance of this Twenty fifth Fair called out his warm enthusiasm and his heartiest enjoyment. Among those who responded to our invitation were friends whom he held in high respect and warm regard. They had been his comrades in many a hard fought battle for the betterment of the world; in the temperance cause, and the anti-slavery cause; in the promotion of education, and readiness to give his influence-if not blessed with money-in curing the ills of humanity. He enjoyed this reunion with the rest of the founders of this child of their own, "The Children's Fair for benevolent purposes."

I copy now from his secretary's book and his daily journal. The letter reads thus:

"October 13th, 1887. Twenty-fifth Annual Fair of the Children's Fair of New Ipswich was held at the Congregational Church.

"It being the Quarter Centennial of the fair, invitations were sent to its old friends and workers to be present. This invitation met a hearty response and many were present." The secretary's book has the following:

"At the close of the Sunday School, Sept. 4th, the following persons were chosen as the General Committee of the Children's Fair, viz.: Charles Wheeler, John P. Clark, L. A Obear, Oliver Brooks, Mrs. Charles Wheeler, Rev. George Merriam.

"Sept. 9th. The General Committee of the Children's Fair met at our house in the evening-all present.

"Voted to hold the fair on the 21st of October. Chose Rev. George Merriam and L. A. Obear a Committee on Invitations-added Carrie Wilson. Chose L. A. Obear, Rev. George Merriam and Carrie Wilson, Committee on Exercises for the 21st of October. C. H. Obear, Committee on Posters. Chas. Wheeler, Committee on building tables.

"Voted to adjourn to be called together by the chairman. "Sept. 26th. The General Committee of the Children's Fair met at our house and made the following nominations: On marking articles-Oliver N. Brooks, Charles A. Preston. On arranging articles-C. H. Obear, A. N. Townsend, Fred Barbour, Charles Wheeler. On arranging ball-George Fox, Mrs. Charles Wheeler, Mrs. L. A. Obear, Mrs. Wm. T. Bucknam. On plain dinner-Mrs. Charles Wheeler, Mrs. Wm. T. Bucknam, Mrs. Charles Robbins, Mrs. Sylvester Wetherbee, Mrs. H. Richardson, Mrs. Almon Hill, Mrs. Alexander Jowders, Mrs. Addison Wheeler, Mrs. Samuel Thayer, Mrs. Herbert Wheeler. On tea and coffee-Mrs. Charles B. Preston, Mrs. Russell Farwell. Committee to pass the tea and coffee -Miss Mabel Thayer, Miss Hattie Wetherbee, Miss Katie Bucknam, Miss Ella Marsh, Miss Flora Davis, Miss Pearl Wilson. Committee on general refreshment table-Mrs. Angie Cummings, Miss Carrie Wilson, Miss Alice Chandler, Miss Grace Wilson, Miss Ella Hill, Miss Emma Perry, Miss Etta Stiles, Miss Ella Beard. On fancy articles-Miss Lula Richardson. On table decorations-Mrs. J. S. Chandler, Mrs. Albert Brooks. Auctioneer-Wm. W. Johnson. Clerks

Charles Wheeler, Oliver Brooks. "Wednesday, October 13th. The Twenty-fifth Children's Fair was held at the Congregational Vestry. The proceeds were $102.00, which were appropriated as follows:

American Missionary Association     $20.32
American Home Missionary Society    17.34
New Hampshire Orphans' Home,         10.72
Home for Little Wanderers,                    7.80
A. B. C. F. Missions,                                   7.50
Woman's Board (for China),                     2.50
National Temperance Society,                5.30
Sunday School and Publishing Society, 3.00
Seamen's Friend Society,                          2.50
Kindergarten for Blind,                             2.00
Seventh Day Mission, South Africa,         1.00
Fresh Air Fund,                                            1.00
Poor in Town,                                                .25
Congregational S. B. Circle,                       1.00
Congregational Sabbath School Library, 1.00
Church and Society for Preaching,          7.00
Expense of Fair (Tables, Printing, etc.),   7.52
Baptist Missionary Union,                         3.00

Total                                                          $102.25

159th Children’s Fair

James Roger diary entry

5th August 1913

Fair and warm; wind northerly. David at Temple with Mr. Barrett's sprayer. Alice, Margaret and I emptied the tub of feathers in the brooder house and cleaned some of the pens. I put up some perches for the chickens. Alice and Margaret got a lot of blackberries at J. Davis’.

Upcoming Event

163rd Children’s Fair - August 17, 2024

• New Ipswich Congregational Church

• 150 Main Street, New Ipswich, NH

• 10 AM - 3 PM

---