Reminiscences of Children's Fair (Page 29-30)
A description of what would be seen on Fair day in 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
Pictures ( Pages 29 - 30)
A description of fair day in 1887
As I passed up the street, wheel-barrows full of various things went by me, and as I stopped to let them pass, I turned and looked back at Kidder and the Flat Mountain range of mountains sleeping with all the beautiful coloring in the softened light of the approaching" Indian Summer," and some of the beautiful expressions of the Psalms came to mind- "The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof," "The cattle on a thousand hills are His," "Honor the Lord with thy substance, with the first fruits of all thine increase."
Had I been going to the fair in a later year, I should have seen, on the grounds of "Obearville" (now the summer residence of Mr. Myron Taylor), what remained of his summer crops, after sending what he wished to Boston or Arlington for his own use, which he had given to his sister-Miss Ettie -and myself to put into the Children's Fair. They would be waiting to be taken when Daniel went up with Grandpa Taylor's load, or one of his loads, for Chas. Taylor, at Smithville or in town, was among the first to inaugurate the fair for benevolent objects and never failed in his interest in it as long as he lived. Nor do his children.
Thanks to his son for the name he has given to the old Obear place, in their family about 150 years, the former house having been built by the son of Abijah Foster, the first who remained in town during the winter of the year its first settlers came. Thanks to Mr Taylor, the name "Oberlea" he will preserve, and the influences that go out of the place will keep up pleasant memories of the name when all who bore it will have departed from town.
Now I resume my walk to the church, and another picture I bring before you. As I draw near, a varied and lively scene presents itself. On the north side of the Church Common stands the old church, with its tall and graceful spire, which can be seen from all the approaches to the town. Coming from the central village, when I first came to New Ipswich, its painfully plain north side made the house look to me as if it was starting on a march out of town. Near this back-side, teams are being taken to a long row of horse sheds. Teams are also at the front of the house, emptying out loads of women, children, and other products of the town, all come to the fair.
Original Congregational Church (as described)
James Roger diary entry
29th July 1913
Fair and warm; wind west. David at Barretts’ till 3:30 P.m, and him and I cultivated the field potatoes afterwards. Alice and I swept Vestry, little room, and stairs, and I filled lamps in forenoon. Got papers from Hingham today.
Upcoming Event
163rd Children’s Fair - August 17, 2024
New Ipswich Congregational Church
150 Main Street, New Ipswich, NH
10 AM - 3 PM