The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1897-12-10
NFWBURY.

papers. which have attracted some notice
and many have thought that there should
be no longer delay in gathering up the di-
verse and widely scattered materials fol
such a work, into volume
If such is ever published it should be
done soon. Each year removes some
from the.few left who can remember the
last survivors of the first settlers, and the
written records are liable to be destroyed
Powers Historical Sketches of the Coos
County," is nearly all which has been
published about those early days, and
that work is merely collection of sketch
es very inaccurate, i'll no sense history
and is chiefly remarkable for what it does
not say About one-half the necessary
material for a complete history is in my
hands, or is accessible here in town, but
the most valuable record of our early his
tory, the settlement of the town, the pc
Rod of the Revolutionary war, and the
contest over the "New Hampshire
Grants" are in the state archives at
Montpelier, Concord, Boston and Albany
and the great historical libraries
The work should be thoroughly done or
not attempted, and these records must be
examined where they are | wish this
labor could fall into better hands; that
some one of better education, who has
mot been hampered by the complete loss
of the sense of hearing tor twenty-siX
years, would undertake it. | should be
glad to hand over to such an one what |
have, and help all | can.
But if it is thought best, | will try it
and do as well as | can, although | have
work enough to do now, and am not am
biti GUS to undertake it. AS | am not con-
nected personally, with any of the older
families, | have no family pride to graft
fly, and | am not rich enough to attempt
the task at my own expense. If it is for
the good of the town that such a history
cHnnt,1H no t,panopp1 thnn tbp town cbOnlH
share the expense, and whatever is paid
by it will diminish the cost of the printed
volume. Such a work would occupy six
or seven hundred pages, in two parts the
first section to embrace the history OF the
town, its inhabitants, and the part it has
taken in the great events since its set
Element. | should consider such work
very inadequate that failed to give pic
ture of domestic life; the changes in ag
riCulture the price received for farm
products, and the manner in which they
were marketed; and the cost of articles
brought into town: the wages of manual
labor at different times, with an account
of such manufactures as the town has
had. In that, it should be history of
the people of Newbury, what they did,
and what they had to do with.
The second, and in many respects the
most valued part, should consist of fami-
~ records, especially those of the de
here, with the dates of birth, marriage
and death of each, with any facts which
it may be desirable to preserve If this
part OF the work is fully and accurately
done, the book will have a value which
will increase as the years 90 on. The
is to be hoped that there is in each fami-
ly some one who will take pleasure in
collecting the records. For instance
some one of the name to collect the rec |
ords of the Brooks, another the annals of
the Renfrews, while large families like |
the 3aieys and Chamberlins would have |
to be divided among several persons, the |
writer merely acting as editor. In this
manner, with popular interest in the |
work it might be possible to get the hiSto-
ry ready for the press within the coming
year,
| have here given my views as to what
seem to me the leading features of the
proposed work, and now leave the matter
in the hands of those interested. Having
had part in the preparation of two or
three family histories, | am well aware
of the labor involved and while 10th to
add penny to burden of the taxpayers
of Newbury, | can say that history of
this town worthy of it, cannot be pro-
duced without an expenditure of money
and time, and the hearty cooperation of
all concerned.
+. P. WELLS.
Newbury Centre, Dec. 6. 1897.
Dr. Turner with his sister, Mrs.
Reid and Master Charley Reid have
been in town for several days repre-
sentng the Union Village, Ohio fami-
ly of Shakers. On Saturday evening
the Doctor gave a free lecture and en-
tertainment, on Monday and Tuesday
evenings an admission fee of 10 cents
was charged. Good audiences were in
attendance. The purposes of the visit
were to introduce Shaker medicines.
This trio of Shakers are straight for
ward, interesting people. Their en-
tertainments were pleasing, their rem
edies sold well. 1t is proverbial that
the dealings of the Shakersare the en-
bodiment of honesty and the sayings
and doings of these people confirm
that condition of things.
The w. G. T. u. held an interesting
and profitable meeting with DIR. At
wood on Tuesday p. m. The subject
Of street lights was discussed and it is
hoped that the Union will be able to
the now existing evil of al
most total darkness in our streets.
Mrs. White entertained at the par
sonage sixteen EpwOrth League Jun
ors on Saturday evening. After sup
per games were played in great variety
and upon leaving each member was
presented with bag of goodies. They
all expressed themselves as having
spent a very happy time. This sort of
and program is teach
ne the embryo lessons in patriotism.
Of all the great principles of true pat
rotism the chiefest is love of home,
md the young go out from these gath
erings with good seeds well sOwn.
Mrs. Emile K. Garland has com
pleted her term as town liquor agent
and your correspondent is informed
Ehat Mr.. Joseph Sawyer of West New
bury has been appointed her successor.
[ believe | voice the sentiment of this
in saying that Mrs. Gar
land has made an honest, efficient
agent. To sell rum in any form, to
handle it in any shape, to drink it in
any quantity, is most damnable oc-
,upatiOn at best. The appointment of
Mr.. Sawyer is a good one, he will be
udicious and conscientious. Mr.. Saw
yer will, if he sets out to sell within,
md does sen within the spirit and in
.ent of the law, need grace, firmness