The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-05-27
rooxrrnurn From First rAer.l


was an ample reward for their labors. The
room was handsomely trimmed with bunting
and the walls hung with the portraits of old
residents.
In one corner of the room stood an old
spinnett belonging to Madame Wendell.
Near it hung the muster roll Of Capt. Oliver
Hunts company, May 5, 1895, and among the
articles upon the table were the canteen car
ried by Charles Themes in the Revolution;
coffee mill 125 years old, loaned by VIM. ID.
Lombard a shoe once belonging to Mrs.
Major Hugh Mcclellan of Portland; silver
teaspoon more than 100 years old, loaned by
F. G. Cousens; an old surveying chain be-
longing to Solomon Lombard; soup tureen,
$50 wears old. loaned by Mrs. Jonas Thomas;
number of very old and valuable dishes,
Mrs. Ezra Themes; the sign of A. Davis,
1903. tin kitchen, rs years old, loaned by G.
Rounds; the two Oldest Bibles in the town
and another ancient volume, being the Ele-
ments of Algebra, by John KerSey. Mrs.
Jonas Thomas also lent gold ring and ear
rings over 200 years old; spoons $50 years
old, and the porcelain bowl used by Parson
Lancaster. Here are the bits used by Hugh
Mcclellan, the elder, in riding his white horse
into town; bellows 100 years old, loaned by
Mr.. Hamblen; an old tin lantern, loaned by
Mr.. Roberts, who also showed a machine on
which suspenders were woven.
In the case of arms was the sword worn
by Lieut.. Col. Mcclellan in the Revolution, a
cannon ball found near the house of Mr..
Roberts on Fort Hill, the barrel of the
gun with which Capt 'Billy" Mcclellan is
said to have shot four Indians in one day;
old guns owned by Mr.. W. FL. Lombard; and
coming down to later date the musket car
ried though the late war by Captain Coleman
Harding.
The cradle made for Madame Wendell was
among the relics and did not appear by any
means worn out despite the fact of its use
during five generations.
The cane of Col Shubael Gorham, one of
| the three grantees of the town. and in whose
honor it was named. was sent from New
York for the occasion by its present owner,
Mr.. VIM. F. Gorham of that city, a lineal de-
scendant of Col. Shubael The cane is very
long and heavy with massive head of ivo-
ry. the stick being of malacca. Upon the
silver band at the head is the inscription sd.
Gorham, 1854 Other articles in the exhibit
were, framed bill of sale of Cornelius
| Waldo's negro slave Ned to John Phinney in
| 1882, pin belonging to Mary, daughter of
| old Hugh Mcclellan Indian arrow heads and
so mango Their equally valuable relics that it
| is impossible to name them all.
The Reception.
While the guests were gathering in the hall
| in the second story, Chambers Band sta
| toned outside played a finely selected pro-
| gramme. The reception room was made
Respondent with decorations and was filed
| with people. Among those present from
| Portland were Colonel Fl. S. Osgood
| Stephen Berry, Esq, and Clark FL. Barker,
Esq. The reception committee was COM
| posed of Governor and Mrs. ROBBIE,
| Judge Waterman and wife, Mr.. and Mrs.
| Stephen Hinkley, Mr.. and Mrs. Joseph
| Redlon, Mr. and Mrs. Roscoe Harding, Mr.
and Mrs. E. Ell. F. Smith, Rev. and Mrs. H.
| S. Huntington, REV. and Mrs. F. A. Brag-
| don, Mr.. and Mrs. Walter Clement, Mr.. and
| Mrs. Albion johnson, Mr. and Mrs. III. c.
| Burnell.
| Rev. DR.. Prentiss entertained the company
| with interesting remarks upon his early life
| in Gorham, and spoke in forcible manner
| of the traits of the people and the causes
| which made them the honest, sturdy, God
| fearing class they were. He gave many per-
| sonal "reminiscences, wildly describing the
prominent residents of the town of 80 years
ago, and many of the later citizens. Among
| those whom he mentioned was James Phin-
ney, son of John Phinney. James was born
| in 1741. His father was born in 1893, and
had seen persons who came to this country
| in the Mayfower. The little James was
only five years old at the time of the Bryant
massacre He was fourteen when Braddock
| was defeated and people first heard of the
brave young Washington. He was IS at the
surrender of Quebec, and just in the prime
| of manhood in the troublesome times of the
| Revolution.
| Following DR.. Premises remarks an inter
| esting poem written for the occasion by Miss
Perry was read by Miss Bensler and Mr.
Davis, and afterwards remarks were made
| by Mr. Dana Estes.
| The close of the reception and the other
social gatherings of the evening was the ter
| mination of the celebration. Both the peo-
pie of Gorham and their efficient commit
tees have reason to be proud of the success
|
| as noted event in the history of celebrat-
| ed town.
Other Matters.
The usual array of peddlers and sellers of
| lemonade and candy were present during the
day.
The provisions for the reception of so large
a crowd as was present proved to be ample.
/ Hospitable citizens entertained many of
the number. A large number of guests
dined at Governor Robes and other resi-
dents had many visitors, while good food was
obtainable .at lunch counters and restau-
| rants
Throughout the day, the best of order was
preserved and 40 disturbance of any kind
occurred Notwithstanding the size of the at
| tendance.