The Portland daily press., 1881-09-30
Reunion Of the Wilson Family at Fal-
mouth.

WEDNESDAY, Sept. %.
Mr. EDITOR By request want to beg space
in your paper to give short sketch OF this
family who tic day holds its first reunion.
Something more than one hundred years ago,
one Nathaniel Wilson, then young man,
moved to POPLAR Ridge AS it was then called,
cleared him a farm, and reared him home.
Diving about the year 1910, he left his home to
his son Nathaniel, who in turn dying in 1870,
beoueathed the old homestead to his son Ma
thaniel. Thus it will be seen that this form
for more than a century has been in the pos
session of one family and has always been
owned by Nathaniel Wilson.
Some time since it was determined to hold
reunion, and to-day was the day selected. The
old house with it's large rooms and broad halls
was thrown wide open and the descendants and
relatives literally poured in.
At an early hour teams filled with relatives
not further remote than grand children began
to arrive Portland, Deering, Falmouth, Pow
ma, Yarmouth and Chicago sent their represen-
tatiyes, but it was reserved for the large open
carriage from Portland filed with its happy
family of nine. the father and mother just III
the prime of life, to call forth the cheers OF
those assembled.
The day was all that could be desired, and
the lawn in front yof the house presented an
animated appearance. There were the gray
haired grand parent-parents and grand chill
dren all mingling together in happy, joyous
group Many near relatives met for the first
time, and greetings and hand shaking could be
heard and seen on every side.
Story telling, "reminiscences, loot Dali ana
croquet kept every one busy from the Oldest to
the youngest.
At two o'clock eighty plates were laid, and
the ample collation. provided by the host and
hostes was full discussed. After the cravings
OF the inner man had been fully satirhed the
Company was called to order. Eloquent and
appropriate remarks were made by a. 4. Wins
low, ESQ., by the host his brothers and sisters
of whom all living were present save one siss
ter. Letters from Mrs. FL. A. Foss and Mis-
s. W. Starbird of Mass, and from a. W. Star
bird, ESQ, of San Francisco, sending greet
ings and regretting their inability 10 be present
we're read, songs followed and poem written
for the occasion by Mrs. A. f. Winsiow was
read.
After vote of thanks for the poem, and
request for its publication, three cheers FOR the
hosts and hostess and the singing OF va Hun
dred by all, the assembly slowly dispersed
well pleased with this, its first reunion.
Among those present were tho brother ana
sister of the host, Mr.. Leonard Wilson, but
just returned after an unbroken residence In
California for thirty years, and Mrs. w. "A,
rrince and husband of Chicago, who this morn
ing to the surprise OF their friends returned TO
the old house TO be present at this reunion AFTER
a continuous absence of twenty-five yeaI5.
And right here must not forget to mention
the old clock Brought and placed in its cor
ner BY the first Nathaniel, it now ticks for the
great grand child as merrily as 1t tlckeu SO
many ye rs ago Tor the great grand parent.
The following is the poem prepared ana reau
by Mrs. A. X. WinsOw. L. L. H.
How often you've dream ed of this dear old spst.
How often you've seemed to see
Old Poplar Ridge with its wooded Steep
And meadows fair where grasses sweep
Like the waves of an emerald sea.
The road that winds like dusty thread
Pas, the school-house old and grey,
The ''Flume and the pond where the nautilus glide
| ~ fairy ships silent tide,
And you watch their ceaseiess play.
You have marked where the sweetest cherries hung,
Have stood meath the well-known trees
And tucked the fruit that needs must grow
(Thougn it ripened on apple-boughs rough and leW)
Near the famed Hesperides.
Your fathers house you've entered in
And greeted lovei ones there,
Have sung the songs you used to know
The dear old songs of long ago,
And ined in the evening prayer
But ah! have moons both waxed and waned,
Those mon his have changed 10 years;
And we have with them changed, we know,
To us more the radiant glow
OF life's glad morn appears.
The same blue sky bends DER us yet.
Well throw dul away.
And greet with love each coming guest
If from the East or from the West,
We welcome all to-day. 81
A happy time! These kindred meet,
A grasp the friendly hand;
They live again youths golden hours,
And tread old paths bestrewn with flowers,
A gay unbroken band
Thou, faces loved, all! first of all,
We canpot see to-day,
Let from our lips no murmurS fall
God knoweth best; He guides US all
In His own chosen way.
These children dear we're glad to see,
For slun ven be, you know,
Not Mr. THIS Mrs. That,
y it'll rustiing gown or shining hat,
But old folks 50 and so.
We do nos mind, we've had our youth;
But W. may keeV the h art
r growing old, from gro wing cold,
u nnlled with self and greed of gold
May keep that "Better Part"
We hope 70 meet on earth again;
But there's bailding rare
Not made with hands, each one awaits,
Just there beyond the Pearly Gates,
A Fathers mansion fair.