The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-03-02
HISTORICAL ADDRESS.


lcAL Society held at Augusta, an address o
very interesting character was delivereC
by the Hon. William Willis, one Of the Sen
ators from Cumberland County. Mr.. vii
lis, who is n gentleman Of the old school
and has love amounting almos, to pas
sion for every thing relating to tho past,
succeeded in weaving, from the rich and
varied materials of our carly History, o
chaste and beautiful fabric ofgroat interes,
and value to the people Of Maine. We re
publish, from the Kennebec Journal, some
extracts from this interesting address.
Tho frat historical society in the United
States was that Of Massachusetts,, establish
ed in l79l. under the auspices, and at the
suggestion Of the distinguished DR.. Balknap,
author Of the excellent history Of New flamp.
shire, and of the American Biography. He
mas aided in the work Of founding that 30
ciety, then quite new enterprise. by Gov
Sullivan, who, y his history of Maine aud
his land titles, conferred great benefit up
ON his native st tie, and entitled himself Il
her warm commentator. The latter WORK
he addressed ~ the MASSACHUSETTS llistori
cal Society, nnd says in The address, Gu
society WIS formed by tn government un
der an expectation TINT our exertiuns woul,
oOllect and preserve the means Tor furnish
ing II c'nnplete hi'tory Of our country"
Gov. Sui ivan was bora in Berwick ! thi
State, where. while pursuing his farmer life
he was disabled. by the falling Of a tree
from active bodily labor. He therefore
turned his attention to tho study of law
which he pursued with his distinguished
brother, Gen Sullivan, of Revolutionary,
fame. lie commenced practice ON Arrowsi'
Island in the Kcnnebec being asked why
he selected so poor situation us that wal
then, he replied, that us he had to break IN
to the world, he thought he would begin N
the weakest place. lie afterwards moved
IL Biddeloid. where no rendered useful ser
vices during tho war. and subsequently, he
successfully rose to the Offices OF Attorney
General, Judge ofthe Supreme Bench, and
Governor at massachusetts,. IL was while
he was engaged in professional services that
he 9 thered the materials for his history ol
Aaine. In the examination Of nged witnes.
ses, he never lost the opportunity to lead
his inquiries into the history, traditions, and
antiquities OF tho country, and Tho genoalo-
sies Of the people. His history embodied
many interesting facts thus gathered from
oral testimony which must Otherwise have
persisted with their possessors.
Our society was Incorporated in 1922
tic number of cnrDorators was ~ the first
meeting was held In Portland April ii, at
which Albion X Paris, then Gov. Of The
Stale, was chosen President, Benjamin la.
sey Of Topshan. Recording Secretary Ed
ward Russell, Corresponding Secretary ;
Prentiss Alellen, then Chief Justice, Treas.
urer, and Rev. Edward Payson, Librarian
OF these officers Gov. Paris is the only sur.
yyor; he was then the youngest Of the
number, and the youngest Gov. Maine ever
had; b ing but 80 years old when he was
chosen.
Mr.. Hasey, the FIRST Secretary. died in
1851, in his S0th year, and the oldest but
one, ol the surviving lawy ers in Maine. lilo
was born in Lebanon in this State, gradua-
ted at Harvard College, in the class OF JOSH.
ub Quincy, 1870, studied his profession
with Judge Thacher Of Biadeford, aud estab-
lished himself in Topsl,am, where Tor 8!
years he faithfully and honestly pursued
hi, profession to the end OF his life. Oi
Chief Justice Mellcn and DR.. Payson, each
eminent in his chosen sphere OF duty, the
audience needs no information.
Orthe 40 original members, 80 are dead,
many of whom dign6cd and adorned their
age WIN. King. onr first Governor. con.
nectcd with family Of great men-Ruius
and Cyrus. all natives OF our State. and
.ound and di tinguished statesmen - was
hmselfa man of strong powers OF mind ana
a leading spirit for many years IN our polisi'
cal and commercial affairs. Benjamin Orr,
S,ephen Lonrfellow, Gov. Enoch Lincoln.
John Holmes Judges Bridge and Cony. DIR.
Vaughan, of English fame, tho valuable
.Judse David Sewull. and VIM. ID Wiiliim.
.on the historian of our State, all original
,.n,bers. deserve mention IN th'- brieI
summary .r our society. Statesmen .Jud srs.
scholars. ~ their several spheres, they filled
,r.a sp c's ~ putlic estimation, aud sus
,i,,.,l .ciiv, POSITIONS in the inauguration ~
ar ST to nnI "ar public .f.ir Since ta'
ven scarce u lhirl ~ u CENTURY has I,assed
wI tlr, nrli has alrea'lv gathered u,m
~ m.,,, ry III men tho mrs. distinguishes.
/ III ir DAY nm"ng Us. The 6r't G"yrrno.
2, lint tw. Sslat,r. in Congress-, llolmr-
III Cimwlirr. five 81 tile r.vrn councillors
"e Il thu seven representatives IN Cu'srrr.
~ 6r-t C.i. Jn.t &c. the President al u"
.n.,e. and Speaker o tie llouse.-men /"
isii nn,hiti,". nrn o Ia enis. energy an
"rrlii-e. have usse IN ia ereal Iroce.'
II. nnd ilwF Pl"c W icl' t j flied a"'
Jr'e'i, nru new ecu ic,i by uno her ger
sa'i"n li"t thc,r nc'- NV the. ! d the
1,"datiol,s 81 new Ct &c s'ciety-t ~ "
81 motion new organization u yra; .A'l