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In the person of Mrs. Christiana W. Putnam of Houlton, a venerable matron of
83 years, the mother of seventeen children, eleven boys and six girls, all of
whom but one lived to grow up, we have one who was born before the foot of a
Saxon settler had trod these wilds, and who, with her parents, came at the age
of nine years to live in what is now the town of Houlton. From her life, we
gathered interesting details of the early time. Her mother, her sister Sally,
twelve years old, and herself came overland in the company of Judy Samuel Cook
from Alfred, York County. They rested at the old Elm Tavern at Portland, on that
eventful day next after "the sea fight far away;" That "thundered o’er the
tide;" and standing on the steps, with childish eagerness and curiosity, she saw
the solemn march of the soldiers as, with muffled drums and arms reversed, they
bore the bodies of the dead captains, to lay them "in their graves, over-looking
the tranquil bay." The party reached the import settlement October 10, 1813.
Contributed 2024 Aug 10 by Norma Hass, extracted from 1886-7 Agriculture of Maine ...
Annual Report, by Maine Teachers' Association, pages 101-102.
The Teachers' Convention for
the County of York, at Cornish, last week, deserves a word or two of public
notice. We think, in numbers, it has never been equaled in this county. Two
hundred and fourteen enrolled their names as members; and it was evident from
the beginning to the end that their aim was one. - They came together for a
single purpose - to get good and do good - to advance the interests of common
schools and be qualified for the great work of Teachers. Their prompt and
regular attendance was remarkable. The instructions and lectures of each day and
evening were the great central point of attraction. The seats were all occupied
usually before the hour of meeting. There were no stragglers, no tardy ones
here. And then the order, the decorum; such a pattern of propriety in the house,
on the way, every where, was noticed and spoken of as it deserved and evinced
more than anything else their fitness for the vocation of Teachers. It was well
said by Mr. Northend, ''The schoolmaster must be a gentleman." A gentleman in
the best, in the refined sense of the word. In olden times it was said a
gentleman was one who wore ''along tailed coat." In these latter days to be
considered a gentleman one must be graced with a shawl in the estimation of
some. Mr. N's definition of a gentleman went a great deal further. It is not
enough that he is a scholar - he must have good breeding - good manners - a
heart as well as a head.
Mr. Clay once said, "No man ever lost anything
by being courteous." All seemed to act upon this principle, and vie with each
other in acts of kindness, and this it was which went far to characterize it the
"crack" convention.
Mr. Dunnell contributed his full share of interest,
and to him are we indebted for affording us this occasion of pleasure and
profit. We owe him something for the procurement of such able, accomplished and
gentlemanly instructors and lecturers as Messrs. Northend and Brown. They were
men with hearts as well as heads. "A word fitly spoken - how good it is!" Never
was this truth more beautifully and forcibly exemplified, than in the daily
teachings and lectures of these gentlemen. If there are better men for the work
we haven't seen - we don't know them. We are content with them and their
success.
The citizens of the place who seconded the suggestion of Mr.
Dunnell to have the convention here elicited from Messrs. Bunnell, Northend and
Brown, members of the convention and strangers, encomiums they may well be proud
to merit. By this convention an interest in the subject of common schools has
been awakened that can never be lost or die out. It is worthy of remark, very
many parents and citizens gave their daily attendance at the convention. And
some farmers, who came a distance of eight or ten miles to bring their children
the first day, just dropped in to see a teachers' convention. The result was
they couldn't get away - about every day they came in and were observed among
the most interested and earnest listeners. The closing scene Friday night, was
one of the times. Before the hour the Methodist Chapel was filled to its utmost
capacity - mostly with ladies. Mr. Dunnell addressed parents and teachers
earnestly and eloquently. Mr. Northend, to the regret of all, was obliged to
leave the day before. The readings by Mr. Brown were such as he alone could
give.
Resolutions by a committee of the convention, highly eulogistic of
teachers' conventions in general and this one in particular, called up the Rev.
Messrs. Cole and Pearl, Arthur McArthur, and Messrs. Dunnell and Brown - all of
whom spoke with feeling and effect.
Resolutions of thanks to the
citizens of the place for "their generous hospitality," and for their large
contributions in stock to the "good time" - were responded to by Messrs.
Jameson, Ayer and Wedgwood, who for themselves and others, expressed entire
satisfaction with their share of the dividends.
For more than three
hours the crowded house gave earnest and untiring attention - and only
complained that the proceedings broke up too soon. Many who met there for the
first time lingered to assure and reassure each other of kind remembrance, and
bid each other last "good night." VIDI.
Cornish, Oct. 13, 1858.
Contributed 2024 Aug 10 by Norma Hass, extracted from The Maine Teacher, by
Maine Teachers' Association, pages 172-173.
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