Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1892-10-08
MEMORIAL SERVICES

BY the Haverhin whittier Club
Guests of Literary Fame-Tbe POETS
Birthplace-The Literary Program.
HAvERH1LL. Oct. THE memorial ser
vices held this afternoon by the Haverhill
Whittier club at the birthplace of the poet
in the East parish was a notable local
event. The weather was very auspicious
and everything conspired to make the oc-
casion one of rare interest. At about
O'Clock members of the club received their
invited guests at the railway station.
Among these were Lucy Lsrcom, Fl. A.
Hodgdon, William L. Garrison and con,
Mrs. Daniel Lothrop, Charles Carleton
Coffin. Ex-Governor and Mrs. Clahin,
Mr.. and Mrs. F. J. Garrison, E. D. Che
ney, Miss Sarah J. Farmer, MisssCaro-
line Carter, Miss Harriet M. Lsughlin,
T. Bailey Aldrich of Boston and viii
Carleton of Brooklyn, Miss Charming,
daughter of Rev. William E. Charming of
London; Charles Dudley Warner of Hart
ford, Miss E. HegRugson of Brookline. the
Misses Sparhawk of Newton Center, R. T.
Davis of Fall River, Mary E, Carter, George
w. Gate, Mr.. and Mrs. A. Sawyer, Mr.. and
Mrs. John Hume, John A. Douglas, W. b.
Dewhurst, Mr.. and Mrs. George Cammett
of Amesbury, DR.. D. T. Fiske, Rev. Charles
P. Mills, F: A. Horne, Mrs. Julia A:
Hodgdon, Mrs. Pearl Nichols, Mr.. and
Bean of Newburyport, Miss Woodman, Miss
johnson, Miss Mary E. johnson of
Danvers, J. W. Atwood, Mr.. and
Mrs. James Chase, Augustus Chase of
Providence, R Mrs. Harriet Bartlett of
Manchester, N. H.; Mr.. and Mrs. Howard
of Georgetown, S. F. Pickard of Portland,
Me-; and Mr.. and Mrs. Rollins of West
Newbury. Then the club with friends
| and guests started for the old Whittier
home, some three miles away. The drive
was most pleasant. The homestead was
alighted at the celebrated house where
John Greenleaf Whittier first saw the light.
| The exercises prepared for the occasion
were held in the old kitchen, which, by re-
moval of partitions and other things, had
! been made of the same size and appearance
| as in Whittier's boyhood. This was done
under the direction of Alfred Ordwsy, q
member of the club, who by frequent con-
ve1sations with Mr.. Whittier had come to
understand how it looked when it was the
abiding place of the Whittier family.
Here was the old fireplace, with the old
crane and andirons; old-fashioned cooking
utensils and furniture; the floor, the panel
| work and plastering in walls the same as
in the poets youth, and still in the wall
was the identical nail on which the "sire's'
bulls. eye watch hung; and on one side OF
and over the fireplace was the little cup
board in which the uncle used to tenderly
lay his pipe away. Near by on the wal
was place plainly visible which was worr
| tba al <b
formerly hung there. On the floor lay tbs
motley braided mat, and about the kitchen
| only ancient furniture was to be seen. II
crown all above the mantel shelf over tn,
!; fireplace hung a picture of Whittier
mother.
While the poet was alive Mr.. Ordwa,
, drew picture of the old kitchen from
, imagination and showed it to Mr.. Whittier
who examined it with much interest," ant
said it was an almost perfect reproduction
l He added that it made him think he was
. bow again, and had just entered the oil,
I | kitchen, and that the family group mus
a | be in the next room and would soon com
in. He approved of the plan, but said, 81
{ it is to be done In my day it must be don
: soon." The work is done, but the poe
| who loved his early home with all hi
@ heart, could not look upon it.
: The visitors gszed with interest upon th
changes that pao peen Drought ABOUT an
upon the old home-the home and its sul
roundings that the poet has described e
Q sweetly.
"a The company then assembled in th
: Kitchen and adjoining rooms and We
" called to order by the president of Ii
> club, Mr.. George g. Howe, who gave a
/ interesting address, welcoming the CUES
y and touchingly abiding to the event thi
Al suggested the memorial service. He the
introduced the literary program arrange
for the occasion.
Miss Harriet o. Mason of Haverhill res
~ selections from "Snow Bound" prefacir
I'd them with brief remarks as to the fitne
,e of them to this memorial occasion, he
ID amidst the surroundings which formed Il
~ setting of that poem. .--'
Other readings and addresses follow,
and at their close the party drove back
se the city, the visitors taking the late trail
70 for home.