St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1902-09-03
FAIRBANKS DAY.
Reunion of the Family AT the Home
stead IN DedhRm.

stead IN Dedham.
1t was Fairbanks day in Dedham
Mass, Wednesday, and more than zoe
of the descendants OF Jonas and Prescott
Fairbanks. one OF the pioneers of the
town who settled there in 1856, erecting
in that year the old Fairbanks house,
gathered at the reunion. No more
fitting place could be for this reunion
than this old homestead of the family,
owned for 235 years by members of the
family, with the family name, and
occupied continually by Fairbanks, for
Miss Rebecca Fairbanks is seventh in
direct descent. For some years the house
has been owned outside of the family by
Mrs. J. Amory Goldman of Boston. A
movement was started to purchase the
old homestead and keep it in the family
and an association was formed for that
purpose
The old home was in holiday attire for
the event and never looked more pictur
esque Between two elms were sus'
pended two flags, Old Glory and that of
the Fairbanks family with the family
emblem, the Fairbanks cOat-ot-arms
and the motto "Finem respice" in black
and gold and blue and silver on a field OF
white.
In the afternoon the session was called
to order by Rev. Francis J. Fairbanks,
of Royalstou. president OF the family
association, Rev. DR.. Edward T. Fair
banks offered prayer and there was
speaking by various members of the
family.
The most important business tran
sacted at the meeting was the steps |
taken for the formation of an associa-
ton and the purchase OF the old house,
|. n. Fairbanks spoke on the question
and said that the property could be pur-
chased for $500, and all the money
necessary could be raised bvS1 from each
member of the family. He said there
were $500 families not represented at the
reunion. The association was formed
under the name of The Fairbanks
Family in America association" and
committee will be appointed to obtain
articles of Incorporation.
The officers were chosen as follows:
Hon w NJ Fisher Of NJ dway, the
oldest member of the association, 90
years, honorary president; PROT Henry
Fairbanks OF St. Iohnsbury, pres; Rev.
F. J. Fairbanks of ROvalston, Mass,
Capt. Henry N Fairbanks OF Bangor.
Me, vice pres; Rev. E. T. Fairbanks, d. D.,
OF st. .Johnsbury, vice pres. and chaplain;
Judge Rufus G. Fairbanks of Midway,
treas; Hon. J. N. Fairbanks, cor. sec.
and historian; Miss Alice Heath Fair
banks Dow of Braintree, registrar
The reunion banquet which occurred
at Berkeley Tempe, Boston, in the even
ing was a delightful affair, about 175
being present. Prof. Henry Fairbanks
presided and the POSTMASTER was Hon.
John Wilder Fairbanks, of Seattle and
Boston, who was the chie mover in
arranging for the reunion. After dinner
speeches were made by Rev. Francis J.
Fairbanks, of Royalston, Mass, Col.
Henry n. Fairbanks of Bangor, Me,
Capt. Josiah F. Fairbanks of Helena,
Ohio, man OF so years, who came East
especially TOR the reunion. Sautations
from the "Sons of the Mayhower" were
presented by member OF that society,
and bright poem written especially for
the occasion was read by the author,
Mrs. Margaret L. Ray, of Franklin,
Mass; the closing speech wasby Rev. DR..
T. Fairbanks.