Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-06-28
PAY TRIBUTE TO THE DEAD
Three Tablets Unveiled Yesterday at Ali
Souls Unitarian Church.
In Memory Of Susan Dorr willard.
William c. Murdoch and Reu-
ben 4. Bacon.

At the close of the regular services at
All Souls Unitarian Church yesterday
morning services were held in memory of
Susan Dorr Willard, VIM. c. Murdoch and
Reuben A. Bacon. honored members of the
church who passed away several years ago,
tablets erected to their memories being I'M
yelled, -
The Rev. f. Bradford Leavitt, pastor of
the church. explained that the memorial
services were those Of dedication and COM
memoration, not in remembrance of any
great soldier or saint but in tribute to
three members Of the church who by their
lives and deeds made such service and
remembrance hitting and appropriate Two
of them were members of the board of
trustees of the church. who had had charge
of It's construction, and to whose courage
Gus efforts, energy and enterprise was due
in a great measure the credit for its cree
ton. The other, Mrs. Willard, was one
who by her kindly. gentle Christian spirit
won from her former pastor the title of
Mother in Israeli
bacon Tablet First.
After short. prayer by the pastor, the
choir sang Rest, Spirit. Rest and then
Mr.. H. K. Willard unveiled the Bacon tab
let. 1t occupies a position on the north
wall of the church, being inscribed with
the name and the date of his birth. July
!, 1898, and the date of his death, Febru-
airy IA, 1885: also. "1SI7-19,'' Indicating the
period of his service to the church as
trustee.
Mr.. Willard said in part:
I'm the history of All Souls Church this
eth day of June Is one of the most sacred
anniversaries. No more appropriate cay
in the whole year could be chosen in which
to unveil and dedicate these memorial tab
lets. Twenty years ago today the corner
stone was laid. under the direction of the
board of nine trustees, composed of MesSrs
Henry A. Willard Israel T. Libbey, VIM.
P. Dunwoody, George B. Clark, L. II. Pc
louze, r. A. Bacon, w. A. +. Wallace. j.
H. Baxter and w. c. Murdoch. At the
death of Gen. PelouZe a tablet was erected
to his memory by the church, and 1t was
then contemplated that the same thing
should be done as others of this first board
passed away. This was followed 10y the
erection of a tablet to the memory of Com
modore Isaiah Hanscom, who succeeded
Gen. Pelouze on the board also being
member of tine building committee, and
also one to Mr.. George b. Clark. Of late
years, however, this practice has fallen
into diSuse, but We are glad that the
friends of two of that board have resumed
this custom, and by means of private sub
scription they are thus honored Today. Six
of that first board of trustees have passed
away four of whom are honored with
memorial tablets"
william C.. MurIOck.
the life and character of Mr.. Bacon, and
then Mr.. E. B. Hay unveiled the tablet
erected to the memory of Mr.. Murdoch,
which was inscribed as was the Bacon
tablet, the dates Of birth and death being
given respectively as May "a, 1896. ana
August 4, 1888.
Speaking of Mr.. Murdoch MIR. Hay sad:
His name was not written high upon
any roll of heroes; it was not emblazoned
in any characters in the tablets of fame,
but in those hearts that came near to him
his memory is written there in golden and
Illuminated letters that will last longer
tEan marble tablets. In behalf of his
friends who have contributed toward this,
and in behalf of this institution, unveil
today this marble tablet to him."
Grandson Omciatcd.
The Willard tablet was unveiled by Mr..
Joseph f. Willard, grandson of the de-
ceased. Gracefully and feelingly he spoke
of her long connection with All Souls
Church, which she loved, and to which she
went regularly to worship. She was born
March IS. 1897, and died January u, 1890.
The tablet was placed there by three
grandchildren, Mrs Kate Willard Boyd
MIR. Joseph E. Willard and Mr.. II. K VIII
lard,