Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1913-05-14

beat, as do most young fellows, when
beautiful soprano and fine alto are near
them. We were given thorough drilling
ia tho rudiments OF music. We did just
enjoy our evening schools, especially go-
ing home with the girls.
We made rapid advancement in reading
the notes and in beating the time. Our
instructions were: II you cannot beat the
time and sing, Just beat the time. At the
close OF the school term, our teacher ap-
pointed two from the class as leaders, and
wished US to meet at the dwelling houses.
Oliver l. Joyce and myself were to lead by
turn, and we were to meet two evenings
each week, he leading one evening and
the next. In this manner we were gain
ing in music all the time.
The next winter Mr.. Manson was our
teacher, and our evening schools were the
same as before-four evenings a week,
when the weather permitted. OF all the
schools l ever attended, think the two
terms taught by Mr.. Manson were to me
the most enjoyable.
sang bass, and directly in front of me
sat our best alto, and by listening to her
learned all the altos, and many OF them
can sing now-one anthem in particular,
called "Great lie the Lord" Mr.. Manson
was studying for the ministry, and the
scriptures were read every morning, and
our teacher would make q short prayer.
We sll loved him for his influence for our
good. he was Free Baptist preacher for
thirty-five years. The last knew of him
he had settled on q small farm in Farm
ingdsle; his postoffioe address was
Gardiner.
Our next winter teacher was Eben NJ.
Hamor, Eden's grand old man.. He was
truly veteran teacher. He taught two
terms in succession, was a good disciplin-
arian, and an excellent hand to impart
knowledge.
The teacher succeeding Mr.. Hamor was
He came TO us highly recommended by
our former teacher, Mr.. Manson. He was
nineteen years OF age. The first day Of
school he came to the house about ten
minutes before nine. Every pupil was
seated when be entered. One glance over
the room showed him that many of his
pupils were as old as be, IL not older. He
told me sftsrwsrd that it almost fright
ened him. He never had to call the school
to order while there. The Marcyes dis
cipline made the governing Of the school
easy. Ee taught two terms. He had
given me recommend ation to teach.
He and were the best OF friends, and
we kept up q correspondence during the
Civil war. He organized company in
Belfast, and went TO Readfeld, where he
was commissioned captain and went to
the front. He came out colonel. He was
lawyer by profession, and later was APP
pointed judge. He resided in Rockland,
where he died.
was chosen school agent for No. 2 one
teacher possible. went to see Mr.
Hamor, but he was in trade with his
brother at Somesville, and could not come.
During our talk about schools, he said;
~ have taught over sixty different schools,
and l can say without fiattery that the
one at No. was certainly the best l ever
taught"
# would be great injustice to No. 2 il /
should say nothing of the people of this
The people, as already
stated, all descended from two families.
Their children, married back and forth,
rearing ten or twelve children each, so it
was not long before there was quite
a large community. They were all church
going people. There were two organizs-
tions--a Methodist society at No. l and
Baptist society at No. 2. These were or
ganized about the time Swans Island was
incorporated into plantation.
James, the son OF James Joyce, ST.. was
appointed deacon, and was always known
as Des. James Joyce. In after years an
other son, Ebenezer Joyce, was also sp-
pointed deacon. Dea. James conducted
religious meetings as long ago as can
remember. He would read sermon every
Sunday. He had plenty OF helpers -
more than our pastors have to-day.
There were ten, at least, to sing, and /
remember standing on the seat to look
on the book with my father. Every tune
/ heard sung once, could sing myself.
But as .'The Old Hymns, taken from the
Atihnta CoastHhtson, says.
We had no blAring trumpsts;
No organs built for show:
We only sang to praise the Lord.
From whom all blessings iow.
The people all attended the Sunday
service and the Sunday school. Once in
q while Rev. Joshua Pendleton, of Isie-
boro, would call at the island when on
his way to Gouldsboro to visit his son
Solomon Pendleton. remember him
well. We children all called him "Grand-
sir Pendleton". No doubt he has de-
scendants at Con ldsboro.
One thing 1 remember about the old
gentleman was the advice he gave to the
late Rev. B. F. stinson, then young uan
Just entering the ministry. He said:
SNOW, Brother Stinson, l want to give
you some advice. Never disappoint
congregation, dead or alive" I heard
Rev. B. F. Stinson tell of the advice one