our descendants, to those who shall occupy our place when another century shall have passed away? Could we have found any written or printed account of the doings of our Fathers one hundred years ago, at a first Centennial Observance of the settlement of the town, with what pleasure and satisfaction should we have read it, and alluded to it in this celebration. But alas, none is found; for none exists. We should therefore consider ourselves obliged by duty to see to it, that a third Centennial epoch shall not be without some account of the doings of the second. And may the laudable doings of the town, in getting up and sustaining this celebration, be a precedent for all coming time. Some of the regular sentiments or toasts above alluded to, given out by Amory Holbrook as Toast-Master, with a few of the volunteer sentiments, here follow, viz. 1st. The memory of our Fathers, Next to their holy religion, the richest legacy which they have left us. 2d. The Reverend Ezekiel Rogers, Eminent for piety, for wisdom, and for learning, one of the earliest benefactors of Harvard College and of the Church; he was among the brightest glories of New England's first age. 3d. The Reverend Samuel Phillips.· As founders of our public schools, as patrons of our benevolent and religious institutions, as the brightest examples of private charity and public beneficence, we honor his descendants to this day. 6th. Rogers, Phillips, and Payson, Choice stones in the temple of righteousness; future generations shall rise up and call them blessed. 9th. The day we celebrate, Sacred to the great and good of other times; we will tell their wonderful story to our children, that they may transmit it again to theirs. Volunteer. By the Honorable Caleb Cushing of Newburyport. "The foundation stones of New England institutions, Religion, Liberty, and Virtue. May they be eternal in their influence upon all the sons of the Pilgrims. By a Lady. "The Mothers, Wives, and Daughters of our Puritan ancestors. May their bright examples, in sustaining Religion, Liberty, and Virtue, be eagerly sought after, and carefully followed by their happy descendants." Interesting speeches were made by the Honorable Caleb Cushing, the Honorable Stephen C. Phillips, of Salem, John P. Hale, Esquire, of Dover, District Attorney of New Hampshire, and by various other persons. Communications from various invited guests, who could not make it convenient to attend, were read by the Toast Master. Among others, one from his Excellency, Edward Everett, Governor of the Commonwealth, Hon. Josiah Quincy, L. L. D., President of Harvard University, Hon. Daniel A. White, Judge of Probate for Essex County, Hon. Leverett Saltonstall, of Salem, member of Congress, Hon. George Lunt, of Newburyport, and Hon. Gayton P. Osgood, of Andover. The address by Thomas E. Payson, Esquire, on the civil history of the town, followed that by Mr. Bradford. In the introduction of which, Mr. Payson very correctly observed, that the history of the New England settlements was but a history of the church; and, of course, his broadest ground had been previously gone over; but (as was justly remarked at the time by one of his hearers) "he executed his task in excellent style, and wrought up his materials with the hand of a master. Chaste, elegant, and graceful in its composition, the delivery was worthy of the style and the subject. The oration gave evidence of fine taste, and of talents of no common order. It was matter of regret, that want of time obliged him to omit a part of his address." The compiler of this work had a great desire, that Mr. Payson's address should make a part thereof, and go down to posterity with it. But Mr. Payson was of opinion, that, what of civil history he had, in detached parcels, incorporated into his address, would not very much abridge the labor of writing a history of the town, and therefore thought it best to withhold the copy. On the evening of the day following the celebration, one hundred and sixty young ladies and gentlemen formed a pic-nic party, and partook of a supper in the pavilion, provided by the aforenamed Smith and Savory, after which they proceeded to the completion of what they considered the unfinished business of the celebration. The invitation to the citizens of Georgetown was accepted by them in town-meeting, April 8, 1839, when they appointed the Rev. Isaac Braman, Solomon Nelson, Amos J. Tenney, George Spofford, Jeremiah Jewett, Ira Stickney, David Mighill, Jeremiah Russell, and Benjamin Winter, a committee, to join with the committee of Rowley in making arrangements for the celebration. A majority of this committee met several times with the committee of Rowley, and very cordially coöperated with them in making their arrangements; which coöperation they continued till a subsequent meeting of the town of Georgetown was holden, when that town, by vote, declined making an appropriation for defraying any part of the expense of the celebration; after which the committee of that town thought it proper for them to omit further action on the subject. Upon their withdrawal, the committee of Rowley, by vote, extended an invitation, with a request, to the committee of Georgetown, to continue to act with them as before. Notwithstanding that town declined making an appropriation in their corporate capacity, yet some of the citizens thereof contributed liberally to the object, and took a lively interest in helping forward the celebration, and aided by their personal services. The compiler acknowledges himself to have been greatly obliged by various persons in the contribution of matter for this work. To the Rev. Joseph B. Felt, of Boston, and David Pulsifer, 3d, Esq., of Salem, special acknowledgments are due. The Secretary of the Commonwealth, the Register of Deeds and of Probate in Essex, the Clerks of the Courts in Suffolk and Essex, the Librarians of various Libraries containing ancient and rare books, have all manifested great politeness in permitting the compiler to have free access to the records and books in their respective care. "Man, through all ages of revolving time, |