Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1847-07-08
From the Providence Journal of yesterday J
The Centennial Celebration at
TivcrtOn.


The centennial anniversary of the an
nexation to Rhode Island Of the six towns
Iof Little Compton, Tivcrton, Bristol,
Warren, Darlington and Cumberland,
was celebrated at Tiverton Heights OH
Monday the 9Th inst. A large number
of people from this city and from the sew
eral towns particularly interested in the
occasion, assembled to participate in the
festival. Tiverton Heights are not the
most accessible grounds for a hot day in
July; an assembly of several hundreds,
however, managed to ascend them, and
once on the summit, they were rewarded
by one of the widest and most beautiful
views in the State The exercises ofthe
day were unfortunately delayed in conse-
quence of the late arrival of one Of the
steamboats, in which the orator and a
large part ofthe company had embarked.
At one o'clock, procession was formed,
which marched TO the spirited music of
the American Brass Band up to the spot
which had been selected for the exercises
of the day, which took place in the fol-
lowing order, according to the notice
previously given:
Reading an appropriate portion of the
Scripture, by Rev. Jared Reed, Of
Tiverton.
Prayer, by the Rev. Edward B. Hall, Of
Providence.
Music.
Reading Of the Decree of the King and
Council in l74O, by VIM. P. Shelf
field of Tiverton.
Original Centennial Hymn,
BY VIM. J. Pabodie, Esq, of Providence.
Historical Grafton,
BY Hon. Alfred Bosworth, Of Warren.
Original Ode,
BY Thomas Duriee, Esq, of Tiverton.
Benediction.
The Grafton was clear and well writ
ten sketch Of the circumstances connected
with the event which gave rise to the eel
ebration, together with brief outline OF
the early settlement of each of the SIX
towns. The orator was often peculiar
ly happy in his picturing of the scenes
and characters which belong to that por-
ton Of our early history, and revived ma
nv pleasant "reminiscences of Blackstone,
NVillet, Byfeld and Church, and the san
culinary struggles Of King Philips war.
The incidents which are connected with
these towns arc among the most stirring
and romantic in the history Of the State,
and when that history shall be written,
they wall occupy conspicuous place IN
its pages and show how much the State
has received both of early historical inter
est and Of actual prosperity and strength
from the district which was confirmed to
her territory by the decree of the king
and council in I747 The Grafton VIII
of course be published, aud will prove an
acceptable and valuable contribution 10
the materials for Rhode Island history.
! II was delivered and heard beneath the
unmitigatcd rays of MONDAY sun III Ju-
", vet il was received with marked atten-
ton and with frequent expressions OF ap-
plause.
The odes were sung by several gentle
men and ladies' belonging to the Beetho-
ven Society of this city, accompanied by
the instruments Of the American Brass
Band, to music specially adapted to the
measure in which they were written, and
never have we heard the voices OF ac-
complished singers give better effect to
the stirring strains of the poet In the
clear and silent air of those commanding
heights, with vide and varied prospects
stretching far IN every direction over tho