The Press., 1901-01-24
tFor The Press.)
ALBUM "REMINISCENCES NO. /

TIE following is taken from an old al
bum that belonged to my late grand
father. There is one fact, at least, that
appears in the history of the writer which
Is OF public interest: He was postmaster
of the town of Wilmington forty consecu-
tive years. Although always a staunch
federalist, whig and republican, such was
the respect entertained for him by his
townspeople in general, and by parties
outside, that the opposite political party,
which was In power greater part of the
time, never removed him from the Office
that he held till his death. think the
phraseology and the general structure of
this piece of writing by an ordinary chill |
town" countryman will compare very fav-
orably with the efforts of more pretentious
writer's. Mr.. Weston, as we'll as his
friend, Amos Preston, were life long
friends and correspondents of the distin-
guished men mentioned, Jared Sparks,
D. D., LII. D., president of Harvard col.
lege, confessedly the most distinguished
scholar Connecticut ever raised, and Pres
ident Loomis of Shurtliff college, Illinois.
l send you also copy of President
Sparks contribution to my grandfather's
album. He was, at the time of writing
it, Edward Everett's successor as presi-
dent of Harvard. CHAs. T. PRESTON.
Wilmington, April 8, 1854.
Mr.. AMOS PRESTON; DEAR SIR: In
compliance with your request, 1 very
cheerfully occupy leaf of your book In
expressing a few thoughts which at this
time naturally suggest themselves. We
are living in an eventful age, an age of
progress. Human knowledge has un-
doubtedly increased more in the last sixty
years than in centuries previous. And
this town, although favored with but few
natural advantages, has kept pace with
towns around us, especially In the moral,
religious and intellectual character of the
people. We have been favored with an
able, learned aid pious Christian minis
try. One of them, Rev. Hubbel Loomis,
came to this town when learning was low
ard books were few. He was instru-
mental in getting up town library, from
He assisted in procuring the establish
ment of post-office, and for twenty live
years was benefactor to the people gen.
| orally. After leaving this place, he was
| instrumental in founding the now flour
ishing college at Alton, Illinois. Anoth-
er, Rev. jeremiah Chaplin, D. D., no less
learned and pious, was the founder OF
| Waterville college, Maine. And there
were others whose talents, learning and
piety were creditable to themselves and
to their profession. This town Is the
birthplace of one of the most learned and
admired men of this country, Jared
Sparks, d. D., LII. D., president of Har-
ward college, and another, who was born
and learned professor of astronomy in
| Western Reserve college and New York
university, Elias Loomis, LII. d. Others
who had their origin here have gone
forth to grace the pulpits of different de-
nominations In this country, and some
are laboring on the other side of the
globe to benefit the benighted heather.
1t has been our happiness to be personally
acquainted with most of these persons.
Their memory is blessed.
1t was our good fortune to be born In
the lifetime of Washington. What ad
vances have the people of our day and
our country made In civil and religious
liberty. What wonderful discoveries
have been made in steam power and In
magnetism as applied to the electric tele-
graph. And have we not reason to hope
that the triumph of temperance principles
and the abolition of slavery will ere long
be consummated? In all the changes
and improvements of the present age, the
religion of the Bible has undergone nc
change. 1t needs none. 1t Is itself the
great moral power that stimulates the
of his fellow creatures in this life tc
quicken them to glory In the life to come
Now a word respecting myself: l was
born 10 this town Nov. IA, 1890, and was
married March S, 1917. The next veal
my parents came to live with me, anG
continued in my family during the re
mainder of their lives. My father dice
in Oct, 1922, aged So. My mother dice
In JAM, 1862, at the age Of 80. Hel
father, who was my wife's grandfather
died in my house August, 1926, at the ag'
of 81. He was the son of Rev. Valentin,
Wightman Of Groton, Conn.,, who was th'
cut, and remained the only one for twent.
years. He was descendant of Edwart
Wightman, the last man burned for her
esy in England. My health has neve
but through the good Providence of Co
l have been enabled to support my family
and contrary to the expectations of my
self and others, have lived to enter upo
:, the sixty-fourth year Of my age. Nor
than one-half Of that time have bee
entrusted with the care of the post offic
In this town, which, although il has no
at any time been a source of much pecu
mary advantage to me, has unquestion
ably been a great convenience to the pee
. pie generally. feel that have not lon,
to tarry among you. The present stat
of my health forbids the hope of muc
usefulness Or worldly enjoyment, but
look forward with trembling hope to
u happier state Of existence, where sick
l ness, sin and sorrow will have no place.
JONATHAN WESTON.
Cambridge, April "a, 1855.
L MY DEAR SIR: l have received you
It letter of the 11th instant, requesting m
l. to write something for a booI, whic
you call your album. You mention tn