The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1880-06-25
WEyBRTDgE.

plentIfully.
Rev. w. M. Ayres will preach al
the M, T.. church next Sabbath at the
usual hour.
Grandma Sterling has been among
us for long number of years and by
her kind ways aud motheily bearing
has made oil her friends. She always
had kind word and smile for you rs
you passed her door, and although her
life walk has been among the lowly and
wanting, Outlines she has stood at the
door If not within, yet she has ever
been living example of contcntmcnt
and satisfaction with the way In which
she was being led by her Father, in
whom she often expressed perfect con-
fidence and trust, having no fear of be-
ing deserted in her old age and help
lcssncss. Even In her long last times of
pain and suffering no murmur escaped
enjoying the dying grace vouchsafed TO
her by her Heavenly Father.
The great event of the week among
us was the celebration of the fiftieth
anniversary of the wedding of Mr..
and Mrs. Francis Ayers, which was
held at their residence on Tuesday,
June %, at two O'Clock p. NJ. A large
company, numbering nearly 100, gath
spent in Misunderstanding, the company
came to order and prayer was offered
by Mr.: Dudley Ayers, Youngest broth
err of the bridegroom. Then followed
Sweet BY and By" by Brittell's band.
Two very large, old fashioned armed
rocking chairs, presented by Mr.. j. ii.
Sprague aud ii. b. Dodge, sons-in-law
and Mrs. Weatha Hazeltine, daughter
of Mr.. and Mrs. Ayers, were brought
forward and the bride and groom of
fifty years ago seated side by side.
Then followed singing by Messrs.
Stewart and Parkill and Misses Hurl-
but and Ayers of"All Together Again."
Rev. Watson M. Ayers of the New
England conference, son and Oldest
child of the parties, then made very
touching address in which he feeling
ly alluded to the marriage of fifty
years ngo by Rev. Hurlburt of the
Baptist church of New Haven, of the
commencement of house keeping in
the house where they had ever since
resided, of the busy life they have
led; noticing the changes among the
out buildings, on the farm which had
grown up by their united hard labor,
also the changes in the church and
town, of the family of eight children
that had been born to them, and rear
ed and sent out into the world, who
had all returned save one to-day,
bringing their shelves i'm the shape of |
twenty grandchildren. He spoke of
the years as having been years of
clouds, sunshine and joy. Fifty grand
years of improvement in all the world. |
Great years to live. He referred at |
some length to the change in the M. |
E. church during the past fifty years, of
which the parties were life members |
and upon whose shoulders the support |
of the branch in this town has fallen
so heavily. He said that from the
old school house where they had wor-
SHIPPED, they had gone to the brick
church which they had helped to rear,
and this had in time been taken down
and put up in new form and place.
Brother members had passed away
until now they were the old
est church members not only in their
own church, but also in this town.
lie very appropriately referred to the
erection of the family altar, of its in
fluence upon the family, most OF
whom had been brought to knowl.
edge of the faith as il is in Christ, etc.
Then followed an anniversary reci-
tation by Miss Susie Hulburt, a grand
child; one by Oracle Ayres, a grand
child also, both of which were we'll
rendered and appropriate. Then fol-
lowed music by the band. Next in Or
der came presentation of gifts by Rev.
xx,bs |
and rich. Some happy hits came in IN
the presentation. The speaker disclos-
ed the fact of his mother having in his |
youth presented him with $500 gold |
piece which he had treasured up care |
fully until he had some years ago made |
an exchange down in Massachusetts,
for an estimable young lady, giving the |
gold coin for the necessary legal docu- |
ments. To-day he returned the gift |
with interest. Also some gifts bear
ing the name of Miss Addic Ayres, the |
daughter who has been the stay of the |
parents at home, referred to the fact
of its being leap year and il desir-
able.her gifts might be disposed of in
way similar to his of years ago. Short
addresses were then made by Rev. Da-
yid Ayres, G.. l.. Harrington, who
spoke of the fact that politically Father
Ayrcs had enjoyed all the honor the
town could bestow by way of offices
of trust, etc. Col. s. Dodge, Capt. w.
b. Hulburt, w. s. Wright, who refer
red to the fact of the parties being
married under one of the purest al
ministrations of the land, that of John
Quincy Adams. Mrs. ID. T.. Hurlburd.
Dea. s. James, A. j Stowe, who gave
an original poem very fitting for the
occasion. Now came recess in
which was served splendid refresh.
ment of cold meats, cake, tea and cof-
fee, whose preparation reflected honor
TO the instruction in this department,
which no doubt had come to the daugh- |
ters from the bride Of fifty years.
Enlivening music was also furnish by |
the band which added very much to
the pleasure of the occasion.
Mr.. Ayre's family consisted of eight |
brothers and one sister. Five brothers |
are living, two of whom, Joseph and
Dudley were present. The brothers,
ages that are living are 70, 76, "a, ~,
20. Some elderly couples were pre-
sent: Mr.. and Mrs. Helena Stewart |
have been married sc years, Mr.. and |
Mr.. aud Mrs. Caleb Wright, 40 years,
Mr.. and Mrs. James Landon, As years,
Col. Dodge, 40 years. Mrs. Ayers was
daughter of Mr.. Gulley of Addison.
One brother and one sister were present
Mr.. E. A. Gulley of Addison and Mrs. |
j. T. Sneden of New Haven.
The children of Mr.. and Mrs. Ayers
are Rev. w. NJ. Ayers, Mrs. Sprague of
Waltham, Mrs. Martha Haseltine of
Chicago, Miss Addie Ayers, Mrs. ii.
b. Dodge of Middlebury, Mrs. Capt. |
w. b. Hurlburt, Miss Alzina Ayers.
After a time spent in happy CONVEX
sation the company made their way
homeward after saying good by to the |
happy couple and wishing them God |
speed and happy close of an unusual
ly happy and prosperous life.
Presents: silver cake basket, inlaid
with gold, Col. Isaac Drake, l.. G.
Drake, Mrs. Emily Bowdish, Miss
Louisa Drake.
Silver spoOnholder inlaid with gold, |