The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-08-17
STRATTON FAMILY.
AND BRANCHES
HAD OUTING
Reunion at Old Homestead On
Monday
100 PERSONS WERE PRESENT
An interesting Historical Paper Read
BY Mrs. S. C. Lyons-other
Features.

The fifth annual reunion of the
Stratton family and its collateral
branches, the Towards, Lyons and
others was held at the old family
homestead, now owned and occupied
by S. C. Lyons, Monday, August 10.
There were 100 people present and
the reunion was one of the most sue
cessful yet held
The company began to gather ear
ly in the morning and it was night
before all departed. Dinner was
served and the provision was so
bountiful that there was as much left
over as was eaten. The Goldsmith
orchestra furnished fine musical
program and pictures Of the company
were taken by Fred ID. Burt.
The feature of the day, however
was the historical paper read by Mrs.
S. c. Lyons, which is printed in full
below. Mr.. and Mrs. Jared Howard,
who were present, were given All
ovation In honor of their 5Oth we'd
ding anniversary which came the
next day, the 10th.
Those present from outside the
state were. Mrs. r. s. Tower Of
Chana H.; Mr.. and Mrs. Fred Lyons
and family, Greenfield, Mass. Mr..
and Mrs. William Neral, Broad
Brook, Conn; Mr.. and Mrs. Myron
I.n1rannnf1ln Flo Mr.
and Mrs. Clark Harrington, Wichita,
KAN; Mr.. and Mrs. Frank lockwood
and Mr. and Mrs Guy Morse, North
Adams. Letters of interest were
read from Mr.. and Mrs. Elmer STRAIT
ton of Kenosha, Wis, and other
members OF their family, and
Mr. and Mrs. Horace Mattison of Al
bany. Mrs. Lyons historical paper
was as follows:
I'VE are met today at the old home
stead of Lafayette and Rhoda STRAIT
ton Lyons, TO enjoy the fifth annual
reunion OF the Stratton family. AnC
while we are together here, enjoying
each other and the good things Of life
we are not unmindful of the shadows
which have fallen across our path
way since last we met. one year ago
Three OF our members have passed
from this life to that which lies be
yond. Where they have gone, rea
son cannot go, and from thence rev
alation has not come. But let us be
lieve that over the cradle Mature
bends and smiles, and lovingly abov,
the dead In benediction holds her out
stretched hands" While each one o
these three. who have gone, will no
be forgotten. and we can never ceas
to regret the taking OF the young an
promising yet, We feel that II Is onl
fitting and proper that We make espe
ial mention of her who was with u
for so many years, and who Away
took such great pleasure In these n
uniOns-Mrs. Ruth Stratton Rocl
wood. Al the age OF 76. death touche
her tired heart.-she died. Ever,
where honored and beloved for IN
purity OF her life, her goodness an
thoughtful kindness. But this "
know: good deeds are never chill
less, n noble life Is never lost VI
tuous action does not die. Her WORD
and acts are ours and all she nobl
did Is living still. There Is no lang
age to express the debt we owe, II
love we bear; we can but stand an
In the hush and silence feel whit
speech has never told
AT this reunion. when a hundr,
or more OF us have come together
descendants OF one Joel Stratlon,
seems but natural consequence th
our minds should turn inquiring
toward whatever there Is OF intere
concerning this revolutionary soldi