The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1886-09-02
The Partridge Family Reunion.

The reunion of the Partridge family was held
August 18th in the town hail at Orland which
stands the land of the first pioneer of that
name who came from Portsmouth, y. II. and took
section of land comprising what is now Orland
village. The hall is near the village on high land
and the site for this building and for the school
house and grave yard lot was given, not decided, to
the inhabitants nearly 200 years ago by John
Partridge who the first of that name to settle
here and from whom all the families of that name
now living both sides of the Penobscot river
descended. Not far from the hall is the site OF
the Old homestead, and near where the old chimney
was erccteda flagstaff WAS raised and colors hoist
ed to celebrate the second family reunion of the
Partridge family. OF the family of John Partridge
only four boys grew up and married. Two, Daniel
and Thomas settled in Orland, and David and
Clark crossed the river and settled in Prospect,
both marrying daughters of Colonel Benjamin
Shute at Sandy Point. The descendants of David
Partridge lead in number those of the four boys.
David's family consisted of nine bows and four
girls, but only three boys grew up and married
Josiah Benjamin and Amos, all of Prospect. Their
united families were % boys and l6 girls, but many
have passed away. The number bearing the name
of Partridge is dwindling down. Thirty five years
ago there were on both sides of the river many
more in number than there are to-day A radius
of six miles will include most of the name, and a
two hours drive including the ferrying, bring them
all together. There were present at Orand last
week men and women of the same given name
who had never heard of each other until the re
union last year. In the company were some of
the Oldest citizens of Orland invited guests,
among them Mr. Gillet Emerson, aged 81, and his
wife, aged 81. They moved to Orland from Pros
pcct 46 years ago. The forenoon was spent In
social Intercourse and the last years acquaintance
made the reunion more enjoyable this year. AT
noon three tables were spread with everything
that could tempt the most fastidious appetite and
one hundred were seated and thoroughly enjoyed
the good things provided. The hall was profusely
and tastefully decorated with flowers by the ladies
of Orland. A stuffed wild Partridge was mounted
on the piano as an emblem of the Partridge family
After dinner the meeting was called to order by the
President Edward Partridge, and the secretary
report read. Then followed music and remarks
by members. The date of births of the David
Partridge family read from the town records
of Prospect. The officers chosen last year were re
elected, n vote of thanks was extended to the
ladies of Orland, and it was voted to hold the next
reunion in Prospect. All felt pleased that the day
was well spent. Searsport, Stockton, Prospect
and Hampden We're represented, and of all the
large number present there wa but one of the third
generation, Betsey Cummings of Prospect of the
David Partridge family. She is to-day the only
living representative of the four boys of the old
pioneer Mr.. john Partridge.