Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-03-03


A large meeting of Pioneers, their descqn-
dants and friends was held at the Ah-wa-ga
Hail. Owego on the 22d inst. The meeting
was called to order by Hon. S. b. LEONARD
who named the following gentlemen, as officers
| of the meeting, which nominations were unani-
mously adopted.
Prsssdeat-Hon. G. H BARsTow of Tloga.
V1c Presidents-H Hon. John Laporte, Brad
ford, j. McBurney, Esq, Steubcn, VIM. Holt
man, Esq, Chemung, Hon. F. Robinson,
Broome, Hon. C. p. Avery, Toga.
Seeretaries-W. Smith, and FL. A. Beebe,
Esqrs.
Doct Barstow on taking the chair, made
some appropriate and timely remarks in ac-
knowledgement of the honor conferred npon
him, and alluded most feelingly to the contrast
between the past and present time.
The President then called upon Rev. G..
Greatsnger, who addressed the Throne of
Grace.
The representatives of the several Counties
were then called upon to announce the names
of those Pioneers who had deceased since the
last Festival The following names were an
nounced John Hughes of Chemung; Mason
Webster, aged Sc; Charles Pumpelly, aged
70; VIM PIatt, 63; Alansor Goodrich, "a i;
Mrs Sally sarles, the widow of Revolution
airy Soldier, 96; and by record recently found
said to be los years Of age; Rosetter Parmel-
lee u; j. Shepard, SO; Ephriam Wood, 81;
Ephram Leach, 66. After this announcement
the Owego Band played requiem to their
memory.
Thomas Maxwell, Esq, of Elmira, was then
| introduced to the audience, and gave lengthy
! Address embracing much statistical information.
He gave extracts from the Tax list of the sixth
Assessment District of New York in 1889, em-
bracing the county of Tioga as then constitut-
ed. 1t presented a great contrast in the val
ue of property, number of houses, &c. The
assessment was made by Guy Maxwell, Esq.
On the first of October 1859, there were 10
houses in the village of Owego, % in Elmira,
few of them frame buildings, but the most Of
them bnilt of logs. Lands, in and about these
points and through the valley, were valued at
| from three to eight dollars per acre.
Mr.. maxwell read a portion Of ali original
journal kept by Gen. Proctor, relating his jour
ney and operations through the Susquchanna
and Chemnng valleys. 1t was a very interes-
| ting document. He also read some interesting
| biographical sketches of some of the early set
| tiers of these valleys.
Eloquent speeches were made by c. L.
WARD, Esq, of Towanda, Hon. c. p. AVERY,
of Owego and Others relating to the history
and historical incidents of the early pioneers of
Southern New York, and Northern Pennsyl
vania.
| On notion the following Counties were ad-
mitted to the assocntion Broome, TOmpkins
and Schuyler, in New York; and Susquehama
Wyoming and Luzerne, in Pennsylvania.
On motion, committee Of Arrangements
was appointed consisting of one from eacl
County, to determine the time and place fol
holding the next Festival. The following gen
tlemen constitute the Committee
Hon. John Laporte, Bradford; Thos. Max
well, Esq, Chemung; VIM. Stuart, Esq.
Broomc; Judge Jessup, Susquehanna; Hon
John McBurney Steuben; Judge Hollenback
Luzerne; c, B. Drake Esq, Tompkins; p
M. Ostarhout, Esq, Wyoming.