The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-10-02

eIlCc Oh lllS COAhllOublOlldl lOuuutIlOh
which our ancestors helped to lay.
1--WE all remember and are not likely
to forget the many names in the Olin
family which have added lustre to the
long list of Legislators, theologians, jour
nalists, manufacturers and artisans of
the present century, and we find by
studying this meeting to-day an almost
complete answer to the question which
has agitated this community and others
for the last few years, as to why Yer
mont farms are abandoned OF the pOpu-
lation of the state does not increase.
The families increase at such a rate that
theState becomes too small FOR tGem,and
they are uecesstated to so out and build
up other States"
Col. Olin Scott closed with a reference
to the railroad collision and with an eX-
tension of a hearty welcome 10 all
After a song: Happy Greeting to
All" by ". v. DIN, the Rev. Dr. DIN
was introduced, and in response gave a
sketch of his family record, he being the
son of Caleb. the son OF William, the son
of Henry, the son oi John Olin, the. first
generation. above. after more music
by the orchestra, and song by the
quartette: The Old home down on the
farm" encore, In silent mead recess
was taken to partake Of an elegant din
ner spread by the Eastern family in the
church parlors.
After dinner the historian gave his
annual address, as follows:
HISTORIANS EXPORT.
1t being my province to make record Of
passing events as they occur III connec-
ton with this Ezra Olin family, will say
that at our family reunion in Ohio last
year, a desire was expressed that our
next meeting be held this year in tho old
Green Mountain State, on or near the
spot where some Of our ancestors were
born, and grew TO years of maturity.
We also desired to view the place whore
OTHER ancestors have been sleeping in
dust these many years, yet whose
names and uirtues have been trans
mitted to us with such reverent care and
tender affection.
These scenes we now look upon here,
have already awakened, or revived
sacred memories of by-gone years. These
mountains and valleys our fathers and
mothers saw while yet in their spring
time of life, as their star of Hope gilded
the years of the future with its radiant
light, and filling their young thoughts
with, "That happy good time coming"
For time we will let our thoughts
wander back to the early days of the
Revolution, 'when scenes were enacted
that tried mems souls" Vermont was
then a part of the New Hampshire
Grants, not having been admitted into
the Union as State until 1891, just one
hundred years ago.
This section of country was then quite
new, and afforded considerable attrac-
ton for people desiring homes away
from the scenes and operations of active
war. as then carried on in some sections
OF Great Britain's revolted Provinces.
From his home in Greenwich, Rhode
Island about the year 1776, John DIN
removed his little family, settling in the
town of SALISBURY, VT, his young son,
Ezra, being then but four years old. In
this new, rough and rugged country, the
son grew to manhood; was married in
March, 179l-one hundred years ago-to
Ruth Green. who, like himself, had left a
home in Rhode Island, and found new
one in the West, and over there between
tie Green and West Mountains they
Made their home, lived and reared their
large family of fourteen children, under
going many privatiOns unknown to the
present day and generation.
In the month of February, 1924, the
old home was sold, and soon after, the
father with his older sons we're engaged
in transforming the woodland of Western
New York, into rich and productive
farms of their own.
Here in Vermont, the mother fingered
with four of the younger members of
her flock,-our venerable relative here.
Mrs. Almira Bolton, the youngest,
being then but nine years of ge,-until
the following summer, when the little
group looked last far ewell at these old
familiar scenes and took their departure
for their new Western home, some of
them never to return.
Though the home of thi family while
they lived here, displayed but few of the
conveniences, and still fewer Injuries of
life; though severe and constant toll
was necessary to provide the means of
sustenance in those early days, and
seemingly but fel0 of LIES pleasures by
them were experienced. Yet of these
beautiful hills and mountains, there
fingered in their thoughts bright and
pleasant memories true 10 tie i0St and
ne, their chiliren, in childhOod's hours,
have listened, entranced as it were, to
beautiful stories from their lips, of
scenes and incidents that transpired in
this their mountain home; from this we
early learned 10 love this treasured
spot.
Besides being the birthplace ana carly
home of our parents, it is also a part of
our National inheritance, our own be
loved country; and all through the years
of our Nations history from the early
days of the Revolution, down through
the years OF our Civil War, to. the very