Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1901-08-23
A NOTABLE FLAG RAISING.
Exercises Held on the jackson Farm
in Chesterfield, N. H., Now owned
by Henry Brothers and Others.

by Henry Brothers and Others.
Chesterfeld,N. H., Aug. 19.-Among
the many interesting events which have
enlivened the summer season of this
beautiful village none has attracted the
attention of the visitors and residents
more than the flag-raising and bonfire
on a high hill of what is known as the
jackson farm. This farm is located on
high land overlooking Spofford lake and
commanding an extended view in all
directions, and from its several noun
tains may be seen Monadnock, Ascut
ney, Stratton, and Haystack Nature
could not have provided grander sur
roundings for the display of our National
emblem.
The present owners of the farm invit-
| ed everybody i'm Chesterfield to assist
in their celebration of raising the stars
| and stripes on Saturday, Aug. II. The
| exercises consisted of the singing of our
National anthems, an address, poem,
| and a general good time, under the lead
| ership of the genial hosts, whose chair
man for the day was John f. Henry.
| The singing was led by the Rev. David
| Sprague of Amherst Mass, while ex-
| Senator William H. Lott of Boston de-
| livered the address.
In welcoming the guests, Mr.. Henry
| spoke as follows
Friends:-I feel assured that 1 voice
the sentiments of all who are associated
with me when I say that 1t gives me
| pleasure to see so many old and new
| faces gathered here on this beautiful
| spot for the purpose, as you undoubtedly
| all know, of throwing to the breeze our
| National banner, 1.-THE banner of the
! free" Let us hope that II is but one of
many similar occasions. Now, while the
| youngest person connected with this
farm is raising aloft the stars and stripes,
| Il Is desired that all join in singing THE
| Star Spanged Banner"
After the singing Mr.. Lott gave an adj
| dress OF which the following is but
| partial report: Chesterfield was settled
| in 1851. The Jackson farm was purchas-
| ed and settled on by Eleazor Jackson in
| IT'S. He came from Dudley, Mass. The
| farm consisted of 50 acres but has been
| enlarged from time to time until at
| present IL consists of $50 acres. From
| Eleazor the farm descended to Enoch
| and from Enoch to Jay-the last of the
| Jackson owners. In 1915 Jay married
| Betsey +. Henry, an aunt OF the Henry's,
| who are owners in part of this $50 acres.
| It was the proud boast of Jay that the
! Jackson farm had been for 100 years
| owned and lived upon by the Jackson
| family In 1873 there was centennial
| which was a notable event, the exercises
| taking up a whole day. There were
noted men here and women, too. on that
! day. An account of the celebration Is
| preserved in book form. Jay died in
| 1893, thus closing the Jackson reign OF
| lis years. The farm passed to one
Thatcher at auction and was afterwards
purchased by the following gentlemen;
| John H. Henry of Spofford, y. H, James
| S Henry of WATERFOWL, Mass. George
L. Henry Of Amherst, Mass, Edwin d
| Mead c. w. Somers, and Myron Z.
| Pierce Of Boston. and Ralph c. Henry OF
Z Il fraar from
| the old era to the new. These gentle
| men propose to still further enlarge and
| improve the farm and to build a house
! on the ground on which we now stand.
A great feature in the history of the
| American people is their love of home,
! and they are deserving of great praise
| because their desire so often is TO re-
| turn to their old homes. Their homes
are the mountains. hills, and fields over
which they used to roam and are ever
| lasting. They build their buildings on
| hills of rock and many generations may
! return only TO find the rock still there
| while they are passing away.
| In response to the sentiment Home
| Week" men come here from every cor
ner of the world to celebrate. They say
| and are proud TO say. Il was born here,
| / lived here" l predict that all people
who go from here will come back TO ad-
| mire and love these hills
Flinging the flag to the breeze is en-
| blematic of love OF home and of country.
On these rugged slopes there were no
conveniences Of life for our fathers.
| All was hardship and toll. Freedom was
| their watchword and from these hills
men went to Bunker Hill and to Wash
| ington to fight for freedom. We believe
in the flag and we unite heart and som
| in singing OF its beauty and telling OF
| its eloquence Rights under our flag are
as good as rights under any flag of any
| nation. 1t floats here on the hills, IL
| floats there on the water. It floats on the
| sea and II floats In distant lands. Men
| have died for II and under II, and in our
| joy We should not forget these brave
! and patriotic spirits These hills have
made them strong, this flag has made
them noble and brave AS the years go
| on. and as our flag extends its influence.
who can tell but that 1t may sometime
| be the universal flag which will be the
emblem OF freedom over all the world.
Following the address an impromptu
poem was read by its writer, Miss Hanna
F. Bailey of Hartford, Conn, as follows;
From many states surrounding,
To Jackson Hill so high,
one pleasant August morning.
Many people they did HE.
To witness the erection
OF a flag pole on the hill,
BY the dear old Henry family,
Who soon their lands will till.
And here there We're assembled
Spectators by the score,
Including the professions
And merchants many more.
Rev Sprague did lead in singing
And Mr.. Lott did then address,
After which the crowd did join in
And all did sing their best.
John and Richard pulled the flag up
To its position there on high,
And Old Glory threw its folds out
To a clear New Hampshire sky
Henry family, may this grand opening
a foreteller of future be
OF happiness, health and harmony,
And all good will to thee.
May the hopes that you have centered
In this place so dear to you
Pass from generation to generation
Which shall justly be your due.
God will bless your bond OF Union.
Health, you'll surely find it here
Mid the dear old hills of childhood.
Hills to you so truly dear.
To this celebration all were invited. hut
owing to the uncertainty of the date on
which the pole could be put in condition
for use and the short notice which neces-
sarily followed, many failed to be pres
and bn