Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-03-05

Chelsea and Pittston Oranges OBJ
served Jointly the occasion OF their
50th anniversary at the Grange Hall
in Chelsea, Thursday. Exercises APP
propriate to the occasion were held
during the day, sumptuous dinner
being served at noon. This was fol-
lowed by a dance in the evening.
In the year 1876, several of the
broadminded townsmen of Chelsea,
including Thomas Searless, William
Searles, Freeman Barker, Samuel
w. Barker, Albert Douglas and
others, got together and discussed
the ACCESSIBILITY of bringing the
Grange to the quiet little town of
Chelsea with the result that on
March 4, J.. NJ. Garland, County
Deputy, addressed gathering of
interested citizens at No. school
house with the result that Chelsea
Grange No. 215 was organized with
the following 20 Charter Members:
Mr.. and Mrs. S. w. Barker. Mr.. and
Mrs. Freeman Y. Barker, Mr.. and
Mrs. Thomas Searless. Mr.. and Mrs.
William T. Searless, Mr.. and Mrs.
George w. Searless. Mr.. and Mrs.
Albert N. Douglass. Mr.. and Mrs.
Palmer S. Moody. Mr.. and Mrs.
James C. Morang, Mr.. and Mrs. Isaac
B. Hall, Mr.. and Mrs. Durham
Campbell, Mr.. and Mrs. Alonzo P.
Gardiner, Mr.. and Mrs. Stephen
Cobb. Mr.. and Mrs. Frank Cobb. Will
liam H. Henderson, Victoria e. Hall
and Austin Hall, of whom only four
are now living. A the present time
only one is a member of any Grange,
this being Mrs. Freeman Y. Barker,
now a member of Gardiner Grange.
The officers were elected and obligat-
ed by Mr.. Garland at this meeting
and were: Master, w. T. Searles;
Overseer, A. N. Douglas; Lect.. S.
w. Barker; Steward, A. p. Gardiner;
p Asst. Steward, f. E. Cobb; Chap,
Stephen Cobb; Sect'y. F. Y. Barker;
Treas, w. w. Hankerson; Gate
Keeper, C. w. Searles; Ceres, Lizzie
Cobb; Flora, Rebecca Campbell;
Pomona, Belle Barker; L. A. S.,
Phoebe Morang.
At the first regular meeting one
name was offered for membership
and Chelsea Grange was launched on
the sea of time, destined to do a
wonderful work for it's members and
the community. After this first
meeting other names followed and on
May q the first Harvest Feast was
enjoyed. Sometime in the summer.
Of '76 Field Day was held in Itch
field, Chelsea Grange being the
youngest in the State to enter the
parade.
hall was erected in 1878 and the
first meeting was held on November
z. This was known as Union hall
and was located at what is now call
ed Chelsea -Four Corners. In 1882,
through the influence of the Grange
Post Office was established at the
four corners and Stephen Cobb was
the first post master.
On the morning of December 20,
1891, fire destroyed the hall and the
Grange was homeless. Many things
of value were lost including the rec
ords of the past three years. Meet
ings were held at different places and
at the end of the year 1895 meetings
wer held in the Chapel and continued
to he held until the present hall was
erected. On March 2, 1894 Sister
Laura Thompson was elected the
first lady Master.
In 1909 talk was made regarding
the building of a hall and in 1910
Brother F. c. Meader offered the
Grange a lot of land which was ac-
cepted. The members began the work
of raising money for their new home
in earnest, having as an incentive an
offer made by Sister Della Watson OF
$40 for every 500 raised by the
Grange, until the first $1,000 was Sc
cured.
The new hall was erected and on
March ;. 1914 was dedicated and is
the present home of Chelsea Grange.
The grit. courage and perseverance