Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-10-13

have it published. He was born on the
farm where the first tree was felled.
Many who are in distant states will
enjoy reading this history who could
not be present.
Mr.. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen:
If anything which may say seems
repetition of what has previously been
said you will please pardon me, as have
had no knowledge of what others were
preparing, neither have I had any
records from which to get information,
it is all from memory, and as told me
long years ago, save the two dates which
are in figures.
We have met here to celebrate the
centennial of the incorporation of this
town. Well, what of it? The incorp0ra-
ton was a new birth. One more town
added to the family to take its place in
county, state, and national affairs. One
more town to place itself upon record
for right or wrong. Let us look back
and view its record.
The early settlers of this town were
men and women of strong and noble
characters, and people who feared God
and loved mankind. They were people
who regarded law and order, and who
so thoroughly taught these virtues to
their descendants that they have been
passed down from generation to genera
ton. This town has always been active
in promoting the good of society. Its
representatives in the state legislatures
and other places of trust have been men
who stood for right and justice. This
town has raised to man and womanhood
many worthy and eminent persons who
have gone out into many of the states
of the union and some to foreign lands,
who with unbounded energy and ster-
ling principles have been an honor to
themselves and the town of their birth,
their occupations unlimited, some as
missionaries of the gospel in home and
foreign lands.
The early settlers of this town made
good selections in land for their homes
the same being now among the mosl
productive in town. The first tree cut
was upon the farm known as the Stephen
Cummings farm, now owned by F. Z
Bean. The first place of burial for theil
dead was also there. One stone remain:
with name of Jones and date of death
1907.
Among the first and early settlers were
the names of Abbott, Holt, Flint, Chand
Ter, Jones, Mears, Haskell, Shedd, Cum
mings, Hutchinson, Hunt, Lovejoy
Foster, Clark and others, cannot name
all or place them in order of settlement
Nearly all came from the town of An
dover, Mass.
Abner Holt was one of the first ant
settled upon the farm now owned by W
w. Bird. The other farms in tina
neighborhood were soon settled upon
also those about the corner.
My grandfather, Dea. Asa Cummings
was born in Topsfield, Mass, but il
|179S moved to this town, coming from
North Andover, Mass, with a party o
other settlers. George Cummings,
grandson, now owns and occupies tn,
old homestead which has always been il
the family. Grandfather represented
the district in which the plantation be
longed in the general court in Boston il
1903. He also was one of the COMMITTEE,
to prepare petition and he presented i
to the Legislature in Boston for accept
ance which was granted. He was chos
en- deacon of the Congregational churcl
which was formed the same year. Tit
centennial has already been observed
The work of this church has been known
for hundred years, its influence fol-
good has been great. Long may it con
tinue to be beacon, throwing its ligh
far and wide. Upon Dea. Cummings i
devolved to conduct religious public
meetings much of the time until 1928
of this church.
Grandfather reared large family O
children, fourteen sons and daughters
They married and raised families. They
and their descendants have scattered ant
increased until their bounds are un
known; a few worthy and true yet re
main in Albany. Long may they ant
their descendants continue to do so
Grandfather died in 1915, aged s. years
So far as l can learn, Albany has neve
had man of medicine or a lawye
settled here, but has raised boys wht
have been both brilliant and successful
in each of these professions, also minis
tiers and teachers and men of business b!
the score, scattered in all parts of thu
country.
The people of Albany have Away
been ready to bear their own burdens
to take the bitter with the sweet. Some
even many of you can remember whei
in the years of 1861 to 1865, a portion o
the states were in rebellion. The mel
and boys from Albany rallied to tn,
numerous calls for soldiers, furnishing
many more than it's quota and nobly
did their duty. Many of them never
returned, some returned marred fol
life, some doomed with poor health by
disease contracted in the service of theil
country. Yet we have no complaints.
The grange is an institution of com
paratively recent date spreading its in
fuence for good. Albany men and
women were early in its ranks. One
aged matron and descendants of other
charter members are among the earnest
active workers to-day and are doing good
work leading the youth to higher
place of usefulness.
The establishing of schools in Albany
was of very early date. The children
and youths have awaited themselves of
the benefits afforded in town, and many
with desire for more education have
gone to other places for it until fitted for
every place of trust or responsibility in
public as well as private life. The
schools of Albany hold good COM
parison with other towns in the county
to-day.
The hotel erected and owned by John
Hunt was busy place in our youthful
days. The building of the railroad
through the county took away his bust
ness. We we'll remember the heavy
teams coming and going in large
companies, generally stopping for rest
and refreshment.
The store of general merchandise,
owned and occupied by Lovejoy 6
French, was also a place where the
farmers could exchange the products of
the farm for such things as they were
compelled to buy, no luxuries being
afforded. 1t was also busy place for
almost everything was bought and sold.
In our early boyhood days there was
store, town house, and two dwelling
houses, also the meeting house standing
near our old home, viz: at the corner
of the road leading to the cemetery.
Some of these buildings were removed
by Francis Cummings and erected where
they now stand and owned by Grover &
Moore, near the town house; more re-
Gently known as Growers Corner.