Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-04-09
NO. 85.
Misfellatfoms.
For the Journal.
A GOLDEN WEDDING.

brated at their home, Prospect Farm"
Wayne, April l, 1873, by children and
grandchildren, brothers and sisters, nephews
and nieces, grand-nephews and grand-nieces
and invited guests, about fifty in all. To all
present it must have been an exceedingly
pleasant and happy occasion. The mud was
deep and the weather lowering. BY twelve
neon, the guests had about all arrived and
found that though it was lowering without,
it was golden sunshine in the social atmos-
phcre within. Soon after their arrival, every
guest was furnished with neatly printed
and we'll arranged programme of the exer-
cises Of the occasion.
Mr. and Mrs Fairbanks in their day, have
been leading musical characters, Mr.. Fair
banks having for many years been a teacher Of
music. and himself and his good wife having
long stood at the head Of the church choir 1t
will therefore be no surprise to say of their
successors, children and grandchildren that
they are full of music, or that in the midst of
other interesting and noteworthy features of
should have been the leading part. 1t was
fitting that it should be SO. For fifty years
the refining, elevating influence Of music
had pervaded this home Here its lullaby
had soothed the tired child to sleep, it had
cheered the lonely hour, helped to refresh the
weary, enlivened the social gathering, and
made happy the domestic circle.
Mr. George Washington Fairbanks the
bridegroom and host of the occasion, was
born in Winthrop in 1903, and moved with
his father, Col. Nathaniel Fairbanks upon
the farm where he now lives in 1914. April
l. 1923 he took his bride, Lucy Lovejoy, to
this home, and here their half century of
married life has been spent. He still stands
erect, straight as an arrow, is reliable and
most worthy citizen, and has always been
perpendicular in morals as be is in physique
lie traces his lineage back to his ancestor,
John Fairbanks, who came from England to
Boston, in $780, and settled in the town of
Dedham in 1858. So far as is known, all the
Fairbanks in the country are his defendants.
One branch of the family settled in Vermont.
Belonging to that branch, are the inventors
of the Fairbanks Patent Scales" and Gov
ernor Fairbanks of Vermont. The quaint
old house, built by John in 1886. is still stand
| ing in Dedham. 1t is two hundred and for
| ty-two years old, and is without doubt one of
| the oldest-if not the oldest-of houses in
New England.
Mrs. Fairbanks, the bride and hostess of the
occasion, is seventy-two years old, was born
in Wayne, and retains in remarkable degree,
the graces and charms of her youth, which
have contributed so much to make cheerful
and attractive her home and to eniven the So
cial circle
They have had born unto them five child
ren, one of whom died in early childhood
Four, two sons and two daughters, have lived
to manhood and womanhood. They are all
married and all OF sterling character, are all
well settled and prosperous in life. George
F. resides in Winthrop, Henry N. resides
| in Bangor and Luclh the wife Of A. II.
johnson, Esq, and Julia the wife of Major
Abner r. Small, reside in West Watervl lie.
As new w-tedged birds go out to build
new merits of their own, leaving the parent
pair still in the old nest, so the children of
this couple have gone out and having made
| homes OF their own, have left their parents
| the sole occupants Of the home of their youth.
They come back to that home to-day to re-
view the pleasant memories of the past and
| in more than willing obedience to the com
mand of promise, "Honor thy father and thy
mother, that it may be well with thee in the
land''-the fulflment Of which premise they
are realizing now-and doubt not will con-
tinue to realize hereafter.
Among those who, in spite of mud and
threatening weather, were present to share
in the festivities of the day, were an older
brother of the host, Mr.. Columbus Fairbanks
of Winthrop, and his wife. He is eighty
four, and like his brother, George w., still
walks erect as in his prime. He was present
at the wedding in 1928. The other guests
present on this occasion, who were present
then, were Mrs Julia A. Norris of Boston, a
sister; and Mr. Lot Burgess of Wayne, a
brother-in-law of Mrs. Fairbanks, and Mr.
Nelson Packard of Winthrop.
| The music, both vocal and instrumental,
consisting OF the piano, violin and cornet,
was exceedingly fine. Alter several pieces
played and sung according to the programme,
there was pause to listen to the reading of
letters from friends abroad, who unable to be
present, had sent their greetings. A portion
of the history Of the Fairbanks ancestry was
also read After the singing of another piece
the company all sat down TO bountiful col
lation. Dinner over, the programme was
again resumed and continued to its close,
interspersed with brief remarks by Col.
Wing Of Winthrop, and j. s. Berry, Esq
of Wayne.
| Al 6va n o,clack tho sxovciaea clfsed nth the