The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1891-08-19
The Holcombe Reunion.

Pile. Had it not been for the thunder
storm which came up about hslf-pas one
o'clock, the attendance would have been
much larger.
Representatives of the family from vari-
Gus States were present and the second
reunion was an unquestioned success.
The exercises were opened little before
eleven, by the Doylesiown Vocal Union
singing in spirited style "Hail, Smiling
Morn" This was followed by an invoca-
ton to the Throne of Grace, by the Rev.
A. Westveer, of Mount Airy. After the
singing, by the chorus, of "Praise Ye the
Father" Colonel Ferdinand s. Holcombe,
president of the Association, delivered
short address. He stated that the first |
reunion was held in this grove Ave years
ago, and appropriately welcomed the Hol-
combes to the second reunion.
The first speaker was DR.. George II.
Larson, of Lambertville, who delivered
the historical address. In this he review
ed the family history from the time Jacob
and John left their Devonshire home in
England and settled in Buckingham
township, about the beginning of the last
century. This address we published in
full last week. Upon DR.. Larson taking
his seat, the Vocal Union sang at his re-
quest, and with much feeling, "Should
Old Acquaintance be Forgot" Previous
to calling the next speaker, DIR. Larison
recalled the names, aud their worth, OF
number of the Holcombe blood who had
passed away since the last meeting.
The next speaker was Hon. Judson
Holcombe, editor of the Bradford county
Republican, Towanda, Pa. He opened
his remarks by repeating the old apho-
rism, "Blood is Thicker than Water"
aud then passed into brief review of his
branch of the Holcombe family, the
parent stock having planted their stake
in the small. but patriotic State of Con-
necticut. His branch is traced from Tho.
mas to Eli and on down to the speaker,
who is of the seventh generation, and
coming from Thomas, of Devonshire.
He remarked, in passing, that so far as
his observation has gone, the Holcombe
family is composed of a class of frugal
and industrious people. He concluded
by saying that he brought hearty greet
ings from the Holcombe relatives In Brad
ford county.
Hon. Thomas Holcombe, of New Cas-
tie, Delaware, then addressed the audi
ence When introduced he was spoken
OF as "oue OF the Blue Hens Chickens"
a play upon the name given to the Della
ware troops In the Revolution. He Is a
descendant of that Thomas Holcombe
who settled in Connecticut more than two
hundred and fifty years ago. The Hol-
combe he said are sturdy race and hon.
est and belong to the yeomen OF the
country, that great middle class that is
the reliance OF the Republic. II the
Holcombes have not written their name
high on the scroll Of fame, none of them
have been criminals. He closed with an
appropriate quotation from Tennyson:
Howeer 1t be, it seems to me
IT'S only noble to be good
| Kind hearts are more than cor0nets'
And simple faith than Norman blood
The Hon. Augustus s. Lands, OF Holt
daysburg, Pa, was the next speaker. He
said he felt like stranger in strange
land. While his baptismal name is
Landis, to-day his name is Holcombe,
and it is his mothers now in her Saith
year. God bless her He said he was
astonshed to learn OF the number OF the
Holcombes, and their prosperity. His
mother was born in Amwell township, N.
j., as was his father, who removed to
Central Pennsylvania, where he was
physician, aud died there. He impressed
upon his kinsmen their duty to be proud
of their family. In conclusion he said he
had one thought, 81 want to know all
about this Holcombe family" II money
is the only thing wanting to publish the
Holcombe history, he hoped it would be
forthcoming, and the subscription made
large.
William A. Holccmbe, Esq, Of Raven
ma, OHIO, 81 years old, who had with
him four generations of the family, was
next called upon the tage-apparently
man of more vigor then half the men OF
sixty.
Adjourned for dinner.
AT Q o'clock the president Of the society
took the chair and called the meeting to
order, the Vocal union singing "Hall,
Hail, Fairy Queen" DR.. VIM. F. Hol-
combe, of New York city, spoke briefly,
saying one lady urged him to speak, but
not more than three minutes. He spoke
for the Holcombc women, but did not
think women neededto have any bodyspeak
for them. His experience as married
man for A years taught him this truth.
He now proceeded to discuss the women
OF the Hole ombe tribe. He spoke of the
universal custom Of women, when they
marry, OF losing their identity. lie called
upon the Holcombe women, hereafter, to
insist on having their identity preserved.
At this moment Hon. Judson Holconibe
arose and offered this sentiment:
Holcombe men. the rugged, lofty pines,
That frown Ger many q wave-beat shore
Holcombe women. the slender graceful vines,
| Whose curling tendrils around them twine,
And deck their rough bark sweetly DER.
In conclusion DIR. Holcombe read his
poem entitled the "Old Holcombe Bucket. v
Mr.. Brown was now introduced, a
Holcombe descendant. He is rich
miner of Colorado, but lives in New York
City.
DIR. G. W. LARSON, of Ringoes, was
next presented and spoke briefly. He said
that he saw In the assembly before him
over thousand people, the resultants OF