New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-06-18
cENrENNIAL CELEBRATION AT PoMFRET. VT.


PoMFRET, VT, June 16.-At town meeting
held here in March last it voted to celebrate the
Tooth anniversary Of the settlement OF the town the
10Th inst Money voted to defray the expenses, and
invitations were extended to all the natives and former
residents of Pomre to be present the guests of the
town. The celebration took place yesterday and passed
of in excellent STYLE Natives of the town present
in large numbers than 20 States including the
extremes OF the continent-Maine and California. The
people of the surrounding towns also came in crowds TO
the celebration and the gathering numbered be-
tween 1000 and 5000 The Rev. Elmer C. Hewitt Uni
versast clergyman Of South Weymouth, Mass was the
orator Of the day The Grafton chiefly historical,
latng the incidents connected with the early settle
ment of the town. The first white who settled here
was Mr.. Dmkee. who in March, 1870, and whose
first child received grant Of 100 acres OF land The
town named after Pomiret, Conn, from which place
many of the early settlers came, and among them was
daughter of the famous Israel Putnam who emgrated
hther the young bride of Isaac Dana Many of their
grandchildren present at the celebration yesterday
Several descendants OF Ethan Allen were also mere The
orator alluded 10 the officers and soldiers OF the late war
who raised in thstown among whom he mentioned
Col Hawkins OF New-YOrk City, who commanded the
welknOwn Hawkins Zouaves and Capt Alonzo Snow OF
the Maryland Battery He said the town had sent forth
during the century 10 cergymen Among these was the
Rev /. D. Williamson, formerly OF New-York, now OF
Cincinnati who have been the orator OF the day.
but was in too feeble health to attend. or lawyers the
town has furnished ITS due complement ana also 0f phy
scans among the latter Of whom Is Dr. E. NJ Snow, the
r.
grove procession formed and, preceded by band
the people marched to the dinner tables which also
spread in the open air under awnings and afforded
sitting accommodations for over 1900 persons The
tables beautifully supplied with everything which
this section Of the country affords, but liquor or any
kind visible at the tables, any where else on
the grounds during the day Among the guests were two
cOlOred people mother and her boy the only blacks
living who were born in the town The mother Is the
daughter OF the late Peter Nassau, who reported
in the last the oldest IN the United states,
being then, believe, about 1870. He was originally
slave in Martinique and for the last 30 or 40 years his
life OF the privileged paupers OF the town As
sample OF the political equality Of all classes which has
ever prevailed in Vermont, IL may be stated that old
Peter Nassau used to vote at all elections side by side
with the richest man in town, and, what is more always
voted the Wing and Republican tickets. After dinner
the assembly returned 10 the grove where toass were
announced by the presiding officer the Hon. Crosby Mil
Ter, and responded to- poem was read by Mrs. Polk
Chamberlain and the hymn, written for the occasion by
the same lady sung by the entire congregation.
The celebration closed with the singing Of Old Hundred
and, motion Of Mr.. Otis Chamberlain, the assembly
adjourned to 1870.