This is the last column for the month of June. It has been a busy month and went by quickly.
Our son and family, Tim, Michele and Sidney Chapman and our Granddog Charlie from Gorham, NH, attended the Community Friends and Family Day on Saturday, June 20th. Our grandson, Ajay Landry and Jenna Edwards from Shelburne, NH, along with our Granddog Ollie, were there also.
My brother, Steve McLain, will be celebrating a birthday this weekend on June 27th. Happy Birthday! Pete and Claudia Risbara celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary last Sunday, June 21st. Happy Anniversary! They are only 5 years behind us.
Gilead Historical Society
There were approximately 40 people who attended the Community Friends and Family Day on June 20th. There were even some Daniels relatives that came from Connecticut. Most of the rest were Maine and New Hampshire. We would have loved to see more Gilead people stop by for a free lunch and meet some of their neighbors. Maybe next time.
There were two new members who signed up. Cynthia Ouillette from South Paris, Maine, and Kerrie Daniels from Gorham, NH. Welcome to GHS.
Everyone had a great time. The celebration is much smaller than years past. We never did have a big celebration like the Gilead Centennial in 1904. We came close at the Bicentennial in 2004. We try to celebrate with the Community Friends and Family Day as close to June 26th as possible.
From Gilead’s Past:
Gilead was incorporated on June 26, 1804. There were noted speakers and a big parade. The following except is from information from newspapers and some McLain writings. Dad is referring to my father, Stephen McLain.
In 1904, the Town of Gilead celebrated its hundredth year as a town. Everybody came out to celebrate. Grandfather took the whole family, and Dad participated in the foot races that were held. Early in the morning the guests began to arrive. The train brought people from both directions into town. Many people came by team from the surrounding towns. The reception committee was kept busy seeing to it that everyone felt that they were among friends.
The exercises in the morning began with the formation of a parade after the arrival of the Portland train at 11 o’clock. President R. D. Hastings was master of ceremonies and acted as Marshal of the Day. He was in uniform and mounted and did honors with military precision. On account of the sparsely settled community, no attempt was made to form a big parade. First in the parade came the Gilead Cornet Band, which was led by Milan Bennett. They were followed by all of the school children of the town. There were some 70-75 in line dressed up in white. The invited guests were next in line, and these were quite numerous. Old residents of the town were there in numbers and marched as proudly as their sons and grandchildren did.
The Indian rangers and cowboys who were led by Possum Jack made up one of the big features of the day. They were all mounted and armed. The march led to Hastings’ Store. A platform was set up there and tables were arranged. After everyone was settled, Chairman Hastings called for order, and a blessing was given by Rev. Mr. Bosworth. Dinner followed this. The large crowd was fed baked beans, cold meats, and many other home-cooked foods. During the meal, the crowd began to reminisce. Old time stories and anecdotes were brought out. It was a full hour before the banquet was over and then another hour of social chat and games followed. The band played fine music and all were merry. In the afternoon a speech was given by President Hastings. Field sports, ball games, wheelbarrow and leg races were numerous and interesting. Many of the people visited the home of Mr. J. W. Bennett. There were 3,000 acres on the Mr. Bennett place. The greater part of the land was wooded. His house was like a museum. There were some old rare linens that were woven by his mother on a hand loam. There was old china, pewter ware and many other objects of interest to be seen there at his house.
Got any news? Email chapmal@hotmail.com