The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-07-26
THE eREEN1EAF FAMILY.

Inns celebrated family, While they lived IN
New Gloucester many years ago, were called
"the Silver Tongues" Old Captain Greenleaf.
the father of this family, was remarkable
man in many respects. Stern and uncompromi-
sing, he always poised himself on his own in
dividuality, and was not easily moved by any
wind of doctrine. He was gentleman of the old
school, His conversational powers were of
high order and his four sons inherited the same
powers, and to such de gree, that they fairly
won the name of .''Silver Tongues, /" for all were
highly gifted in speech. We have often heard,
in our boyhood, the father of this family boast
that he had frequently been in positions when
Washington was obliged to take off his hat in
his presence. This was in the lodge of Freema-
sons where he met Washington. Capt. Green
leaf was agreat Mason and his sons became
celebrated as members Of this ancient institu-
ton No single family in New England have.
probably done more for the cause of Masonry
than the Greenlea& Their Silver ongues were
admirably calculated to make music in the
lodges. They were emphatically good workers,
and the brethren of the mystic tie ALWAYS were
pleased and interested with their labor.
The mother ofthis family was full ofIifs and
energy. She was small in person, but her form
was symmetrical, her motions quick vet
graceful, her eyes dark and full of fire. the
glances Of which were law to the family. No
child of hers needed the rod; for her sharp.
piercing eyes and expressive countenance were
enough to restrain the yagaries of youth and
supply the place of more severe punishment
We remember her well; for our boyhood often
received the reproving gIances fro a her
lustrous orbs. She had the name all over the
town OF being great tea drinker. This bever-
age at that time was not so common, as it is
now. 1t was esteemed a great luxury. and the
women of New Gloucester thought Madam
Greenleaf drank her "tea too strong. This was
the general impression among the females. No
doubt, she was somewhat extravagant In the
use OF the herb that exhilarates but not intoxi-
Gates.
Madam Greenleafowned horse of the Mar
ragansett breed. He was of small size but in
speed would almost outstrip the wind. He
was an amber, or what is more commonly
caied"a paeer''. The Narragensett breed was
remarkable for their ambhng qualities. In
tact, they were generally PAGERS, but few trotters
being found among them. They were not only
remarkable for the swiftness of their amblinay
but also for their great endurance. We believe
we have now no breed of horses in the State
whose speed and bottom are so great as the
Narragansett. Such was the character Of Mad
am Greenleaf's saddle-horse. He was never
used but for the saddle, and in his owner he
found mistress who could switch the world
with noble horsemapships She ALWAYS rode
on horseback, whether making long or short
journeys Often did she journey to Old Hamp-
ton and Newburyport upon this ambler's back,
and many a time and oft has she accomplished
the distance in single day. No woman ever
sat more gracefully upon horse So much
for the heads of this family. "
Their four sons were named. Simon. iona
than, Moses and Eben. The first became a
celebrated lawyer in Maine, and afterwards
through the influences of Judge Story. Law
Professor of Harvard. he is well known TO
the legal profession by 1Greenleaf on evidence
and hundreds of young men win not soon for
get his "silver-tongued lectures" at Cambridge
law school. The second became an orthodox
mini ter and acquired much fame as an elo-
quent preacher. Fifty years ago, he was set
tied in Old Wells, Maine, where he was ex-
casdingly popular He had one Of the most
musical voices we ever heard, and knew how
to modulate it; for he was sbass singer Of
extraordinary power The old lovers of sacred
music would 60 miles to hear him ssing bass.n
After leaving Wells, he became pastor of the
Mariners church in Boston, and in 1888. Sec
rotary OF the American Seamarfs Friend ST.
ciety in New York. About sixty years of
age he removed to Brooklyn where he estab-
lished Presbyterian church, and preached
thereuntil he died few months ago. So
The third SON took up his residence in the
eastern part Of Maine. He was an excellent
man, good surveyor, and will beremembered
by "Greenleafs Map of Maine.v The fourth
son was sca-captain and made many vow
ages to Europe. He understood all the ropes
In the ship. The members ofthe Cumberland
Lodge OF Masons wiz always remember him
He purchased in Liverpool, England, set of
glass ware and earthern pitchers on which
were engraved the name Of the lodge and 9TH
er insignia, and presented them to the lodge
That was time, perhaps, when the worl,nen
were called from labor to refreshment more Of
ten than they are now. Glass tumblers were
then in frequent use. We believe some of this
beautiful glass ware is in existence now. or was
a few years ago. g
10 show the religious tendency of Jonathan
Greenleaf while quite young man, he wrote
some articles some fifty or sixty, years ago for
Inc ola Portland Gazette in which he bore
DOWN heavily upon the music of the fox
mounds which was sometimes heard on the
mus and In the valleys of New Gloucester.
when he was on his way to church. Sucb mn
sic was not proper, he thought. on the Sabbath
Ihese fox hounds were owned by Mai. Groass-
Venor VINO was thana trader in tbe town
These dogs would often stray AWAY IN +,s'o.,,
bath and make the hills vocal with their ,,,,,s;s
Whether the owner followed them ON -.
holy days, we are not called upon to saw. hut
one thing is certain, young Greenleaf thoupbt
and wrote as if he believed the hounds were
not let loose without the company of their
master. These articles upon fox-hunting crea-
ted quite a sensation in the town, and excited
the ire of the "Major" who was probably more
fond of such music than he was of that which
young Greenleaf made in the church choir,
however melolious it might be to other ears.
me Greenleafs have played well their parts
On tne worlds stage, but they have made their
eAi.s' anu Inc music Of their silver tongues
WA De neard no more on earth. After lies
fitful fever they sleep we'll Their earthly mis-
SION IS ended, and the names of some of them