The Republican journal., 1916-09-14
THE REPUBLICAN J0uPNAI THURSDAY Sc. TENDER IA 1915
Sixtieth Wedding Anniversary
Observed by Capt. and Mrs. o. W. French
of LincolnviIle Beach.

of LincolnviIle Beach.
II will interest the many friends of Capt.
Oscar Wyman French and his wife, Angela
Furbush perry French. formerly of Belfast,
to learn of a recent event which took place at
Linco!nville Beach, in their pleasant home,
built by its present owner some twenty years
ago, when he retired permanently from the
sea- to overlook the Penobscot bay and its
islands This was the quiet observance, Sep
TENDER 6, 1916, of the sixtieth anniversary OF
their wedding. cheerful and happy occasion
Capt. French was born at Frenchs Beach in
the house now called 1.-THE Fir Wigwam," and
occupied as a summer residence by the Hallett
family of Somerville, Mass. Soon after his
marriage, at which time he had been employ ed
in the Rockland and Thomaston shipyards,
Capt French began to follow the sea, and In
1858 became master of his first vessel. the
schooner Velocity of Salem, and later of the
schooners Romeo of Belfast and Annie Eliza
beth of Bangor. and then the schooner Nellie.
which was built for him in Belfast in 1870
In 1875 he sold his interest in the Nellie. and
having moved his family from French's Beach
to place his four children in the Belfast
sc hools, he formed partnership in the hard
ware and plumbing business with his brother,
Allen D. French, now of Waltham, Mass.
While resident of Belfast Capt. French built
and occupied the house on Primrose Hill
where William Bray now lives. Soon firing
of the land however, he took command of the
sehooners Prescott Hazetine, William Fred
erick, Penobscot, etc, the last being the
schooner Fannie A. Gorham. After having
served as master about thirty six years, and
his children having gone to different States,
he retired from the sea in 1894 aud then re-
turned to his birthplace. Ia all his seafaring
career, which was m ystIy in southern waters.
South America, Mexico and the West Indies,
a high sense of honor and sterling integrity
of character distinguished HIM IN his dealings. |
Mrs. French, known as the soul OF hospitality
in Belfast, retains the same spirit of optimism
and good cheer which marked her there as
the center of coterie of young people who
found her always companionable. She was
born in Northport on the slightly Perry home
stead near the shore, the place being later
known as the Wright farm, now occupied by
the Dissel family as summer home.
In connection with the proposed Pilgrim ter
centenary celebration in Boston for 1920,
which is leading all New Englanders to search
their local histories fof genealogical facts, the
following is of timely interest. MRS. Frenchs
grandfather, John Perry, rendered valiant SER
vice in the cause of American independence
during the Revolutionary War. The com
mission which he received as commander of
the armed boat, Fly" was signed by John
Hancock. The Fly was fitted out with pow
der and shot, commissioned to "cruise against
the enemy and designed TO check the trade
I carried on between the enemy and inhabitants
near Penobscot" and it was navigated by IA
men. The history of the town of Ninalhaven,
Maine. contains an account of this same John
Perry's killing two British man-'o- wars men,
about l779, aud mis- own subsequent escape by
strategy. His zeal brought such prosecutions
from the British upon his family that they
were obliged TO remove to Rockand; price
was set on his OWE head, and for the safety I
his family he was obliged to keep away from
home. In one of their vain searches for him
the British soldiers burned his Rockand
house to the ground and turned his wife and
little ones out of doors, Mrs. Frenchs father.
Wilder Perry, an infant at the time, was called
little rebel and knocked on the head by the
! soldiers. Perry Rock, situated not far from
Perry Cove, named in commemoration of John
Perry's exploits against the British, is one OF
the landmarks on the island.
! Capt. French's ancestors likewise rendered
service during the Revolution, Joseph Drink
water as private in the company of Capt
George Rogers of the I'd Cumberland regiment
and Ebenezer French LIST, Capt Oscars great
/ great grandfather. who fought in the Bat
| tie of Bunker Hill Through the Drinkwaters
his ancestry has also been established through
/ six distinct lines direct to the Mayfower Pill
grims, and to thirteen individuals in the fam
/ lies of that memorable company. There now
remain only forty nine male heads Of families
{ who signed the memorable document known
( as 1.-the May flower compact" who have living
descendants. The six referred to are George
! Soule; James Chiffon, whose daughter Mary is
stated by tradition to have been first to make
q landing on Forefathers' Rock at Plymouth
William Bradford, who was the second govern
or of Plymouth Colony, serving such for
thirty one years; Richard Warren; William
Brewster, known Elder Brewster, who drew
up the Mayfower compact; and William Null
Inns, whose daughter Priscilla married John
Alden.
Allen o. French, Waltham Mass, was a
special guest for the anniversary, the pleas
ure of which was enhanced by flowers gifts,
calls and congratulations of neghbors and
friends; and. with the exception of the eldest
aughter, Isabel, now Mrs. Fred NJ Fletcher
of Reno, Nevada, the children were all pres
ent for the reunion: Mary Perry French, now
Mrs j. Frank Rich. Rockland, Howard French,
New York city, Robert French, San Francisco.
SWANVILLE.