The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1898-08-18
LOngiey Family Reunion.
Under The Old Roof Tree.

".Ioin hands; let brethren dwell in unity.
Let kith and kin stand close as our shield wall.
Who breaks us then?'
Aug. s, 1898 brought seventy-three
persons together in the hospitable home
of Rev. John B. Longley, 1.-THE old Long
ley homestead) for a grand reunion,
that all might meet once more the aged
sire, grandsire and great grandsire,
Rev. James P. Longley of Madison, it
being the first time for many years that
the eldest son, Frank S. Longley of
Tomkins Cove. n. Y. and the grandson
Frank E. Vickers, also of New York
with their families could be present
together
OF Rev. James P. Longley's large
family there are only four sons living,
all of whom were present. Frank 5.
(before mentioned) Rev, John b. of
Norridgewock, Edwin S. of So. Nor
ridgewock and Rev. Elmer K. of Smith
field eleven grandchildren, and four
great grandchildren, Masters Warren
and Cullen, and Miss Maria Ward of
So. Norridgewock and Miss Louise
Vickers of New York. Besides these
immediate relatives there were uncles,
dunIs anu COuSlnS ihdhiuS otNOhtJ -OhC
in all united by ties of blood or mar
riage.
After partaking of a bounteous din.
ner they all assembled under the old
maple tree from which tloated "Old
Glory, after singing America and a
brief prayer by the Rev. Elmer K. Long
ley, and the singing of Bethany, they
listened to a few remarks from the aged
In which hn pYnragsp6 his
gratitude and pleasure in meeting so
many of his friends and relatives and
extended to all his best wishes for
their success and happiness in this
world and hope to meet them all in
the next. At his request the whole
company sang, 1.-THE Haven of Rest ,
aud no one joined with more yigor than
did he, although in his eighty-ninth
year.
The patriotism of the family was
shown by the manner in which Edwin
Longley sang, 1.-The Star Spangled
Banner" that song so doubly dear to all
| during these times, the whole company
| joining in the chorus.
Mrs. Chas. hitting kindly sang,
zone Sweetly Solemn Thought, and
the four brothers sang that beautiful
| piece, AQleu. L HIS Clpseu tbt lAoldi y
exercises and again the aged minister
raised his hands in benediction.
Ice cream was served before the
happy company separated, and many
were the cordial hand shakes as the
pleasant day drew to a close.
The Longley family trace their ances
try back TO the time before the French
and Indian wars when two brothers Of
THAT name came to this country from
England, one went West and the other
settled in Groton, near Boston.
The one remaining east lad large
family but during the war his house
was burnt, himself, wife and all but
tie youngest three children were killed
OF these three, John, boy of fourteen
Twas the only one surviving when the
treaty of peace was signed and was
returned to Groton, one clause in THU
treaty being that all oaptives under
twenty one should be forcibly returned
to their former homes. Settling II
Groton he raised large family and
became the progenitor of the entire
Longley race.
Zachariah, a son or grandson(prob
ably the latter) of John. the captive
NEAR the close of the Revolutionary wa
Icame to the Ke inebec county to fouIC
a home for himself.
He felled piece of trees on the farm
lnow occupied by VIM. B. Longley ant