Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-04-07

WILSON centennial PARTY Willis
ton was favored. last Friday evening, with
an " oldan time party, given by the mem
beTs Of the Congregational society. The
evening was not very propItious, but the
numbers that came testified to the strong
interest that the good people OF WiilIston
have in all that savors of the heroic past
The house in which the entertainment WAS
given-the residence OF Deacon William
Mller-is not without interest in itself to
the antiquarian. Ii was built ard used by
the second Governor Chittenden. and in the
matter Of large apartments, open hre-places.
etc Is in every way calculated for the use
to which it was applied. An especial iea-
turo of the evening was the supper. The
dishes were all Of the olden time. bean por-
ridge. chicken pie. pork and baked beans
and hasty pudding figuring among the
more important articles. The plates, cups,
eaucers, knives and forks were all of tho
most antique pattern. Ihree-tined steel
forks were ruled out a. say0ring too much
OF modern times. The very ancient appear
ance Of the tables. together with the great
open fireplace and the olden time costumes
worn by the ladies who served the goOdly
cheer, enabled one very easily to drop into
the spirit of the past. Another feature Of
the evening was performance by an old
lady on a two-s-rnged instrument, called
spinning wheel THIS tickled the young
folks greatly, especially the young ladies
After the spinning wheel performance We
were favored with some old q me songs and
historical reminis3en Judge HalOert.
of Essex, gave an interesting account OF the
part his grandfather took IN the battle Of
Bennington. Deacon Miller related some
.paadufaz illustrating the tnr-rpnP hTnu
sagacity of the first Governor Chittenden.
Mrs Edmund Whitney read an exceedingly
interesting letter from Hon. l.. Il. Chltten-
den. Of New York city, in relation to the
first settlements of the town OF NllllSton.
Mention must be made of Deacon Miller :
old Federalistc song, set to the tune OF
" Yankee Doodle" 1t is needless to say
that this song was received with great ap-
plause.
The display Of relics was quite good.
Needle-books made out of dresses OF almost
fabulous antiquity pocket-books, which
from strength of material and GREATNESS OF
capacity had evidently in their day carried
generous rolls of Continental scrip; quilts,
christening blankets. Undertaking, com
munion platters, books. and what not, ap-
peared in great variety, and each with an
! age not less than one hundred years. Among
| the articles attracting the most attention
were couple OF portraits Of tho last cen
tnry, executed on wood a chair. the pro-
| perty OF Mr. Munson, having the venerable
antiquity of nearly two hundred years a
pipe carved out OF ebony by prisoner OF
+ war in Revolutionary times. and powder
| horn carried in the battle Of Bennington
| There were also two candle sticks OF chaste
/ design, the inscription on which read a.
| follows: These candle sticks 20 back be-
yond the memory OF man. They are sup
1 posci To- have come out Of solomon "a lem
! pie The candlesticks were owned by
/ Deacon Miller and for the benefit Of readers
/ Of the FREE Pass IT may be added that the
! Deacon is a man of unlmpeachable yeracity.
| Mr.. Mun-ln, of Muddy Brook, was present
with bis marvellous clock. Is there not
enough public spirit among the eitizers OF
this and the adjoining towns to assist Mr.
! Munson with their contributions in exhibit
| ing, neat summer. at Philadelphia. Thest
! clocks are specimens OF that Yankee genius
which has done so much in bringing lniC
/ subservieney the various forces Of nature
/ and would not fail t. attract attention At
the exposition.