The Republican journal., 1889-09-12
The Pilsbury Family Reunion.

emit y vote on presidential preferences was
while Cleveland had only five of the scattering
votes. The result of this vote was to bring
many to the second reunion, held at the same
place on Thursday last, who had not attended
the first meeting, and perhaps to keep away
the few adherents of Cleveland for it was
practically unanimous family, politically and
otherwise. that assembled in Gushing Hall, in
pleasant Newburyport, last week. To he sure
there were those who spelled the name with
one and those who used two rs, but this was
not permitted to be an cement of Giscord, and
all were imbued with one idea, that Of making
/ the family reunion pleasant and profitable
( as possible. and it certainly was both. 1t may
be said here that the holding of these reunions,
and the existence of the present organization,
/ is wholly due to Miss Emily A. GetchelI, Of
Newburyport, lady possessing great energy,
a bright intellect, love for genealogical
studies, and Il becoming family pride. 70 use
a well worn saying, Pilsbury family reunion
without Miss Gctchell would be the play Of
Hamlet with the part of Hamlet omitted. She
Is the family historian, and aided by her sister,
Miss Ellen ;. Getchcll, is preparing gene
alogy of the Piisburys. The task i, no small
one. involving among other things the search
ing of records in this country and in England:
but it is hoped to have the work ready for
publication in 1891, the 250th anniversary Of
the arrival Of the first Pi.>bury in this country.
To return to the reunion. The morning was
devoted to social Intercourse, in which tue
family history was largely discussed, and lis
widely scattered members made pleasant
quaintance. j. W. Pill>bury and wife came
to the reunion from Cincinnati, Ohio, and
Judge y. o. ri,bury from Montclair New
jersey. The others We're mostly from Maine.
Massachusetts and New Hampshire. That the
stock is a hardy one was shown by the pres
cnce Of four octogenurian, Hannah p. IIoyt,
of Merrimac and Itebecca F. 1appan, of New
buryport, each So; Judge Nehemiah o. Pills
bury, of Montclair, y. j.. -, and Lyman Pills
bury, Of >andoWn, y. H., 81. The youngest
member of the family present was Frank y.
lil>bury, Of lynn, 10 months Eight Of this
family were present from Lynn father moth
er, four sons, the Oldest married and accompa-
nicd by hi, wife and baby boy. -Four brighter,
cleaner looking young fellows than these it
would be hard to find. Parker Pill>bur, Of
Concord, who attended the first reunion. was
unable TO be present and sent hi regrets. but
he was represented by 4 brother .nl by a
daughter, the wife Of Hon. Z. b. Cog..,Wull.
editor Of the Concord Monitor Lieut. JOHN
Elliott l'ill>bury enjoys the distinction of being
the only member Of the family in the United
states Navy, and there is record Of only one
before him. Passed Md>hipman Wngate Pil,-
bury, ali uncle Of the writer, who was druwu-
cd in the Gulf of Mexico in 1886. losing his
life in saving one Of the crew of The boat Of
which he wa in command. There is a mouu-
ment to his memory in the grounds of the
Naval Academy Al Annapolis. Lieut.. Pillsoury
has been for the past five years detailed on
duty in connection With the hyIro4ralhfc Of
flee, showing that he Is a man OF scientific at
tainment>. But it is rather remarkable that
family which has had 50 many seafarer> >hould
have but one representative in the /. :. Navy
to-day. Indeed it was remarked that tie carly
ll.Sburys were either captains or ministers
but when seated at the tables some one was
called upon to ask a blessing, it was found that
the latter profession had but one representa-
tive present. This was the Rev. John =. Pills
bury. Of Nashua, \. H., a very Young man
but a Very pleasing and effective speaker
When called upon later for remark, he said
that lily two older brothers were also AIetho-
dist ministers, and keeping up the family rec
ord in that line.
\ business meeting wa held in the morning
Samuel Piilsbury of Boston called 10 order and
offered PRAYER. Hon. Albert f. Pill>bury of
Boston presided Hon. Edwin J.. Pil>bury Of
CharleStown, secretary The latter presented
the association and also the president with oak
gavel~ made from timber> Of the old family
mansion, a. mementoes Of the occasion. and
moved that letter Of greeting be sent to
William Pillsbury of Wimot Flat. y. H.. %
years old, the Oldest known living reprcsenta-
tive of the family. On motion Of Lieut.. Pills
bury the old board of officers was unanimously
Reelected. The president, Hon. Albert +. Pills
bury, Of Boston. has been president of the
Massachusetts, Senate, and is in line for pro-
motion to the Gubernatorial chair. which hi
friends expect to see him occupy at no distant
day, Hon. Edwin l.. Iil>bury, the secretary,
and was recently appointed a member of the
Boston Board Of Health lie ha> served in
the Massachusetts, Legislature and evidently
has 0i-ner honor> awaiting him. After the
business meeting dinner was served, followed
by brief speeches, and then barge> were taken
for drive to the ancient Pisbury homestead
on High street. \ heap of ruins and one or
two charred and blackened rooms were all that
remained OF its ancient glory. the principal
portion Of the house having fallen victim to
an incendiary fire on the morning of July +.
lhe outer walls are Still standing however.
and with the aid Of photographs taken before
the fire very good idea of the interior was
had. Some of the oaken beam, have been Split
up for mementoes and are in good state If
preservation, considering that the house wa,
built in 100. After the ruins had been in
spectcd the party We're grouped and photo
graphcd.
At | 4. NJ by invitation of Mr.. Il. +. Shaw
the party embarked on the steamer Pauline.
Capt. J. Frank Tilton, for a trip down the har-
Dor, and a. the day was ,ultry the refreshing
sea breeze and the river views were greatly
enjoyed, On returning the company dispersed,
taking trains for their respective homes. The
next reunion. 1880. will be held in Danyers,
Mass, by invitation of Harvey II. Pillsbury
Speaking Of proposed visit to Newbgry-
port, Il place | had not seen for thirty wears. !
some one remarked that | would not ind ii |
changed in the least. This, however, is = lAel. /
In one respect Newburyport can hardly change |
1t always was, and probably will always re-
main, 4 most attractive place. In . business
sense it may not have grown in the ;s-t decade. |
but it has kept up with the march Of improve |
ment III the various directions and :sbled many
new and modern residences to TIE stately old |
mansions which still stand on clns-shaded High |
street. The old families have passed or are
passing away, but | can never think of New
buryport rs other than the home of cultivated |
and hospitabe people. CAR.
IN BRIEF. Fifteen thousand people SAW the
races at Springfield, Mass, Sept. T. Susie :. |
won the rs race and, 4Mcryon the 222 race |
In the last race Dictator Chief came in third I
The pacing race was. unfinished and was won
next day by Ray Wilkes. In the 22S class, So |
900 guaranteed stake, Saturday, Aubinc was the |
winner in three straight heats Time 2l93. |