Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1920-09-07
Centennial of the Dudley Family.

Centennial of the Dudley Family.
. There is always something of interest
derived from the old landmarks OF
: town and from them we all try to solve
, in some measure the character and dis
tinctive qualities of the told Settlers y
the first representatives OF Q towns 10.
/. dustry. Connected with any town are
, those simple monuments, the old roads
and "bridle paths," the bounds of old
] walled in farms and here and there the
sites left TO designate the first habita-
tions. These markings speak of the old
pioneers, ofthe burdens they bore and
of sacrifices. We contemplate their con-
ditions and recognize perhaps too, that
though poverty was among them, these
men of the wilderness we're content with
their lot as 1t was willed. All have place
in the minds of present generation and
as reminders of the past they are the
bright spots that invite the attention Of
every lover of the "old and ancient"
Away up among the Oxford Hills is
one of those historic places Of the olden
days, now the farm and pleasant home
of Dana o. Dudley.
Its original acres were contained In
me of the first lots surveyed out which is
specified on the town of Woodstock's
map as one of a tier In the Thousand
Acre SQUADRON" This is located on the
old county thoroughfare, some two miles
nr more from Bryant's Pond village.
The original acres of this farm have been
widened BY the addition, many years
ago, of adjoining lots on which once
were the homes of some of our first set
tiers. To day this place represents sew
sral hundred acres of tillage, pasture and
forest land, and upon 1t is the spacious
modern farm house with ample outer
buildings. The present owner is of the
fourth generation from David Dudley,
he first occupant of the name, and is
one of the progressive, enterprsing citi-
zsns of the town.
Through these acres runs the oldest
highway, the first in town, cut through
pus hundred and twenty -four years ago as
connection between Rumford and Paris.
For years it was the main thoroughfare
Of the town and over it were toted the
products of earlier days in their transfer
TO and from Portland. Not far from
sither point of this Dudley farm can be
found to-day marks where were once the
habitations of the Bryants, Felt, Rob-
insop, Becker, Packard and others.
These but show the change and are the
reminders of those generations OF the
dim past, now at rest upon the hills and
within the valleys Of the old town.
To this spot up over the old highway
came David Dudley and his family from
Paris in 1920. David Dudley was q mem
Der of one of the oldest Massachusetts,
families. He bad come as one Of tho
,arly pioneers into the town of Hebron,
Ne. OF his family branch it is traced
back to Francis Dudley. IA relative OF
Gov. Thomas Dudley who was born In
England, came to this country and set
tied In Concord, Mass, around 1858.
Francis Dudley married Sarah Wheeler.
Of their children, Joseph married Abb.
gail Goble. The son, Joseph, Jr., mar.
ried Mary Chandler in 171S. Their son,
Capt. Ebeuezer Dudley, born about 1875,
married Grace -, at Sudbury. BE
was the father of David Dudley, born in
Sudbury Oct. 1, 1853, and who made his
last settlement In Woodstock. David
Dudley was one of the representatives Of
the earlier years who was identified with
the growth of the town In its struggle
for improved conditions. he died In
lS47, and his successors upon the origi-
cal lot have been the son, Col. Perrin
Dudley, the grandson, Otis s. Dudley,
and the great grandson, Dana o. Dudley.
They have been men of integrity and
prominent in Woodstock's affairs. OF
the two elder, they are we'll remembered
today by the middle aged and our older
citizens. Col. Dudley was one OF the ac-
i've men in old militia days and was an
officer in the Woodstock Infantry OF
eighty years ago. He was called often by
The town to take charge in the building
Of new roads and bridges and was one Of
the stalwart, rugged men OF the older
days.
On the Goth ult., In the glory and suu-
shine of perfect August day was held
on this farm, now q hallowed spot, the
centennial of the Dudley family. 1t was
\ gathering which had in its representa-
ZION families from the several towns Of
Paris, Buckfleld, Turner and Norway.
1t was a day of social enjoyment, songs
and the making Of new acquaintances.
A splendid dinner was served In the din
ing hall to over thirty guests. Among
others seated around the table were the
five living children OF the late Col. Dud.
ley and Paulina Felt Dudley. Those iv-
ing are Ansel Dudley, who has been
prominent business man in the town for
nearly half century, Mrs. Evelyn Young
Of Norway, Mrs. Amanda Sheran, Mrs.
ingeline Bowker and Mrs. Adelia Curtis
Of Bryant's Pond. Their united ages to.
lay make up the sum of 3S8 years. Other
connections of the family name present
we're Nellie Dudley, Carrie Dudley Allen,
G. K. Dudley, Albert Dudley, Cora Allen
Dudley, Bert G. Dudley, Perrin s. Dud-
ley, Carrie s. Dudley, Charles s. Dudley.
Grace Dudley Millett, Annie Wheeler
Dudley, Frank 8. Dudley, Edwin A. Dud.
ley, Stella Bowker Bacon, II. Alton Ba-
con, Freeland Young, Arthur o. Dudley,
Cleon Allen, Ella M. Dudley, Mamie P.
Crockett, Carl G. Dudley, Perley Dudley,
Marion Wheeler, Dana o. Dudley, Mar
tha Dudley, Marguerite Dudley and Otis
Dudley.
Around the parlor were arranged many
culiar of the early days. There were the
olden, fowered sugar bowls, tho blue
willow plates, linen towels and cloths,
spun and woven by Charity Tuell Drl.
ley, the mother of Col. Dudley, q table
cloth woven by Aunt Lydia Nutting in
1855. One feature was drawing of the
original home OF Col. Dudley made by
his daughter, Angeline Bowker, In her
eighty-fifth year. Around the place also
are preserved some articles that arc q
reminder of old militia days. These
once belonged to COL Dudley and Lieut..
John Day, both officers In the old State
Militia days.
In the afternoon the company was
called together and program for enter
tainment was announced. An address
of welcome was given by Dana o. Dud.
ley. This was responded to by Carl G.
Dudley. An interesting paper was read
by Stella NJ. Bacon giving reminiscenc ,s
of the childhood days Of her mother,
Mrs. Angeline Dudley Bowker, upon the
old farm. Mrs. Bowker is now In her
s7th year. A greeting of the centenn ial
day was read by Mrs. Martha Dudley.
An interesting gensalogy Of the Dudley
family, prepared by Stella Bowker b.
con, was read. Mr.. Dudley's daughter.
Marguerite Dudley, entertained with in
strumental music, and there were sew
eral songs by the company.
One outcome of the days gathering
was an organization of the family for q
reunion to be held each year. The off.
cara chosen were: President Arthur o.