<\/p>\n
We hear many stories of-how strict in discipline of their members the churches used to be in colonial times and in the early years of this republic. There recently came to my hands the covenant of the colonial church at York, Maine in 1680. It has several articles that seem quaint and long outmoded, but it has others that would be quite as appropriate for 1965 as they were for 1680.<\/p>\n
It would be difficult to get any people except Menonites and Amish to subscribe to the following articles we find in the 1680 covenant: “We agree to wear a sober habit and garb suitable to our rank, and in case in appearance or apparel we indulge ourselves unseemly, we promise to submit to the judgment of such persons as the Church shall choose to try us.”<\/p>\n
Some people have always thought the time they lived in was bad. This old covenant says: “We will endeavor to keep ourselves from the sins of the times.”<\/p>\n
But here is one article that we might well accept today: “Whereas tale-bearing, back-biting and slander are amongst the prevailing sins of our time, we ask forgiveness for any guilt we may have in these matters, and we promise for the future to guard vigilantly against such unchristian practices.”<\/p>\n
And the last article of that old covenant rings with the truth of the ages:\u00a0 “Finally, the Lord enabling us, we will endeavor to practice all duties of truth and equity, of righteousness and charity toward our neighbors, and to walk according to the Golden Rule.”<\/p>\n
The late 1840’s was the time of the terrible potato famine in Ireland, when so many desperate Irish died of starvation and a fortunate few began the great Irish migration to America. What did people on this side of the Atlantic think of Ireland’s plight when it was happening? A Boston newspaper of 1847 tells us about it.<\/p>\n
On February 3 the paper said: “The news by the last steamer represents Ireland as in a more distressed condition than ever before. The famine is increasing in severity and the consequent suffering is beyond human description. Government relief accomplishes little. The people are divided among themselves. The O’Connell party is but the wreck of its former self, and the Young Irish party considers O’Connell a traitor. They favor immediate revolution to relieve their oppressed country by a resort to arms. But what can this minority of revolutionists do against the great might of England? What will Ireland do?”<\/p>\n
In May the same paper said: “The arrival of the steamer Cambria brought the warmest expression of gratitude from Ireland. Aid from the U.S. has saved at least a million lives. Yet, despite all aid, more than two million have died during the past two years. Why is it that the young giant of the West is able to stretch a helping hand across the ocean, while olden nations offer no help, fearing the fate of Ireland will soon be their own?”<\/p>\n
The late 1840’s also saw troubles on the European continent that became a great stimulus to emigration to America. The same issue of American aid also carried the following item about the Continent: “Emigration to America is in full activity at Rotterdam. Masses of foreigners, especially Germans and Netherlanders, are impatient to embark, and behind them come other crowds just as eager. Agreements have already been made to transport 40.000 persons this year, through the port of Rotterdam. At Antwerp all ships for New York have been engaged for emigrants through the middle of May, and the agencies have announced that no more bookings can be made until well into June.”<\/p>\n
That 118 year old Boston newspaper contains some interesting ads. By 1847 the temperance movement was well under way in New England and temperance hotels and restaurants were beginning to spring up. One such was the Charles D. Davis Refectory at the corner of Congress and State Streets, which advertised: “A good variety of refreshments at all hours of the day, with tea, French coffee, and cocoa”, then added the phrase “no ardent spirits”.<\/p>\n
Here’s an ad with a word that I venture few of my listeners can explain: “Gooding and Ganett. corner of Rawkins and Ivers Streets, lamp and girandole manufacturers”. What in the world was a girandole? It was an ornate branched support for candles or other lights. The original French word had referred to a rotating and radiating firework, and had later been applied to a cluster of candle holders.<\/p>\n
Gooding and Ganett advertised that they also sold all kinds of solar, mantle, hanging, parlor, study, side and stand lamps, manufactured to order.<\/p>\n
Another ad said that Fasenden and Ditson, manufacturers of pumps and water closets, made a specialty of bathing tubs.<\/p>\n
Gooding and Ganett had competition from a place called the Solar Lamp Depot, which advertised a good assortment of camphene. astral, and solar lamps, as well as girandoles and bronzed hall lanterns. An astral lamp was an oil lamp designed to avoid the shadow cast upon the table by ordinary lamps. Camphene referred to the kind of oil used in certain lamps. The operator of the Solar Lamp Depot proudly boasted: “Being a practical glass cutter, the proprietor is able to supply orders for any article in this line in any amount. He can cut a solar globe on a few hours notice. He will also loan lamps for balls and parties.”<\/p>\n
Another ad tells us that S.A. Kelsey made fringes, gimps, tassels and cords as well as all military ornaments. He would give special attention to coach and upholstery trimmings.<\/p>\n
The shop of Frank Gage on Washington Street was a good place to get cradles. John Dixen advertised as a currier and leather dealer, upstairs on the north side of Faneuil Hall, where he sold chain top harness leather and the best factory belting.<\/p>\n
Now comes another ad that I think will puzzle you: “Bryant and Welch, black and white smiths.” Everybody knows what a blacksmith is, but what was a whitesmith? It was another name for tinsmith. The blacksmith worked in dark, black metal, the whitesmith in bright, silvery tin. Anyhow, Bryant and Welch made fences, gates, balustrades, doors, shutters and sashes. They performed house, store and wagon work, and promised that orders from neighboring towns would have prompt attention.<\/p>\n
By this time I do not need to tell you that I am partial to original diaries.<\/p>\n
One such that came to my hands was written by an unidentified woman in Winslow in 1845. She was probably associated with the Graves family, because the diary was found among the papers of the late Miss Ella Graves of Morrill Avenue, Waterville. She may have lived across the Winslow line in Vassalboro, because many of her notations refer to Getchells Corner or to families known to have lived there.<\/p>\n
On June 19, 1845 she wrote: “We met with a distressing accident. George Southwick was coming down the river on two logs, and they parted on the falls. He went in, and there not being anyone near to assist him, he struggled and shouted for a long time, then sank to rise no more. This is truly a solemn day. About 300 men are searching the river for his body. The family feel severely afflicted and the whole village is sad. Truly in the midst of life there is death.”<\/p>\n
June 20 – “I left home in the morning and walked down to the shore. Went in the steamboat, a delightful ride down the river to Hallowell, where I stopped. Had a pleasant visit with old friends. I went shopping and saw a great deal of finery. I spent five dollars, which my dear husband gave me. I went home in the boat with sister Rebecca. Went to bed early, very much fatigued.”<\/p>\n
October 2 – “I had a visit from the new minister, Brother Latham. He has just taken charge of the people in this place and he finds a deadness in religion on the part of those who profess it, but he hopes to stir things up.”<\/p>\n
February 2 – “A shocking accident has occurred. Mr. Burgess left his home as usual to go to the woods to work, and in less than an hour he was dead, killed instantly by a falling tree. They have had a donation party for Mrs. Burgess and have raised about thirty dollars.”<\/p>\n
March 4 – “Have been preparing my husband’s things for him to go fishing up to Moosehead Lake with Southwick and Lang. Have fastened up the house and shall stay with Sister Small until my husband returns.” (The party must have gone ice fishing because March 4 was at least two months before the ice usually left Moosehead.)<\/p>\n
On May 10 news of the Mexican War reached the community: “We hear rumors of war — fighting and bloodshed. 0, how dreadful!”<\/p>\n
May 15 – “Went with my two boys on a visit to Cornville and stopped over night at Uncle’s. Went shopping with Aunt, but made only a few purchases. Returned to Uncle ‘s and there made my baby a bonnet.”<\/p>\n
July 13 – “With my daughter Lydia, my son Fuller, and little George, my baby, I set out for Wiscasset. Went down to the river and boarded the Phoenix. Changed at Augusta to board the Balloon for Hallowell. There we changed again to the Kennebec for Bath, which we reached at 5 p.m. Stayed in Bath overnight, then took the stage, crossing to Woolwich in a stern-wheel ferry. We arrived in Wiscasset Village about 7 p.m.”<\/p>\n
July 21 – “Yesterday we went down to Boothbay and had fresh fish and plenty of blueberries. This morning we came home changing boats again at Bath and Hallowell. Up the river we passed many lovely places, including the Gardiner castle. It is very romantic, a beautiful stone edifice with a hundred rooms.”<\/p>\n
October 18 – “Cattle show at Brown’s Corner. A big turnout.”<\/p>\n
November 15 – “My oldest son, Fuller, has been working on a longboat ever since spring. He will finish in about two weeks, then I shall have him at home for the winter.”<\/p>\n
Year: 1964<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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