Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-01-05
A Chapter of Personal History.

JERICHO. W., Dee. 1876.
To the Editor OF the Free Press and Times
This Centennial year has proved to DO one OF IN
usual interest and pleasure to the family Of Calvin
Morse. In August dau shter and sister (Mrs. A.
L. Moore, Of Iowa. came to visit them. after seven
years absence, during which time lite and health
have been spared to the entire circle.
The first reunion occurred the 18th Of August
last, 1t being the fifteenth anniversary Of the
rage OF one OF the daug hters-Mrs W. +. Moulton,
Of Burlington, Vt. Their e" Crystal Wedding was
celebrated at her fathers house in Jericho. There
all tho family came together with one accord,
children and grandchildren. numbering ID in all.
And such happy greeting; the dinner table
loaded with all the goodies that such gatherings
afford; the many beautiful and serviceabIe
presents the little speeches from those We love to
hear-one from our old time" friend, Mr.. stephen
Hopkins. lust in from California on visit the
many songs Of praise the tears OF love; the prayer
Of gratitude,-sll conspred to make an occasion
long to be remembered.
The next reunion was at the old homestead in
Cnderhill, where the children, eight in number,
were all reared to ma3hood-all Of whom now live
within one-half days drive Of each other and OF
their fathers present home, save the Western sister
and her chldhood's mate-the lost one-the dear
sister Lucy. lOvellest Of them all. who was called
away in her 2ld year, two years ago last July.
brother, Julius q. Morse, has the farm and
and what good, yet sad, gathering was there
This took place october 18th. being tho thirteenth
anniversary OF their married life. The roast tur-
key. chicken pies, puddngs, meats. pies who can
tell! But the day closed as each must and the part
ings came. Yet another. The Z" baby" brother,
Ira, called them together again, November LIST, on
the sixth anniversary "t his marriage. And again
did the noble farmer aud has wife fill tho table TILL
there was no more room. and the half Is not told.
Again November 18th, do they hear the 90 marriage
horn" and oil respond by collecting at James Hay
dens, to celebrate his and the Oldest sisters sill
yer wedding" Not only did the family hear the
horn-but the silvery headed uncles and aunts and
cousins, by the dozen. And as the light faded away
And darkness came, the doors were again thrown
open and in came marching the ministers and dea-
CO.'S, matrons and maidens from the little village.
till the house was filed. All were served to y
bountiful repast. The silver coin left on the pre-
sentaton table upwards Of $50, besides spoons,
knives, napkin rings, etc. Every hing was pleas
ant there was excellent music, several wel-timed
and witty speeches, and beautiful poem, conpos-
ed for the occasion by cousin. Mrs. Matte Palmer
together with prayer from different ones.
Now the call comes. Who shall make Thanks
giving" Tor our Western ulster must not 70 TIL
have one more Thanksgiving all together as Of
So tho lawyer, Wilbur, says: My house Ia not
small. come there one and ALL" Thus on the
Both OF November all come, to psrtiAn Of the good
things. In sister Wilbur's homu the children, all
but Mrs. Powell tthe youngest daashter), were pre-
sent The twins, Julius and Julia and their families
staid all night, and the next day they and .OOcly
number Of the others visited at their iAther At
this visit present brother of Mrs Morse ustirom
Wisconsin. Here all begin To feel AS though the
time 10 drawing near when the Western one must
again start for her home in Iowa. But there
one more family gathering. They meet at W. F.
Moulton's, in Burlington, for final reunion, Deosm
Der 5th. The aged parents. brothers and sisters all
tave Chloe, meet there at early hour, and AFTER
dinner step into China Hall" and purchase
token OF remembrance in the form OF silver cake
basket and tea pot for Mrs. Moore, and dozen sill
yer knives for the dear father and mother. Then
after an oyster supper with the usual accompan-
mentslthe-shall say tast-farewells were given
We hope NOT but the last, for now. How much we
have enjoyed all these gatherings We cannot ex
press. MAY she come again. And above all may
we meet unbroken family where parting is no
more. She left Burlington December 9th, at
O'Clock and has now reached her happy home in
safety, alter riding 56l hours finding her family all
her home a.ain. 81.