Blodgett - Pierce Family --- Family Stories
Pierce Family Reunion Remembrances by Birt Pierce 1895
We take up our pen on this the 5th day of February 1895. after more than five
months have elapsed, to write up the minutes of the annual picnic, held at
Abram Blodgett's, and to continue a little farther, if possible, the history
or biographical sketches of our family, with the view of adding a little that
may be of interest in time to come, to the decendants of our family seeking
to learn something of their ancestral parentage, or in tracing their geneology
through the mystic past.
But waving further comment in our preface, the reader will go back with me
to that beautiful day In August, the day of the picnic, occurring as it does
at that season of the year when the trees, shrubs, and fields seem changing
their mantle of green for the more dusky robe of gray, and the withering leaves
seem to acquaint the observer that summer is passing.
Arriving at the home of Abram and Jessie Blodgett, on Webster St. in the
town of Pomfret, first we will endeaver to acquaint the reader, in a general
way, with the people assembled there. Commencing with the older ones among
them Mrs. Thankful Reynolds who in her ninetieth year was hale and hearty
for one of her age. Of those between 60 and 70 there was Francis and Maria
Scott, Evaline Pierce, George and Gane (Jane?) Derby. Between 50 and 60 were
Daniel and Laura Pierce, between 40 and 40 Clarence Howard, Birt Arthur and
May Pierce, Bird and Clara Blodgett, Geo. And Mary Dorman, Nellie and Clayton
Derby and Clarence Howard, between 20 and 30 Leroy Pierce, May Derby, Fred
Pierce, Wm Landas, Abram and Jessie Blodgett, between 10 and 20 Maude and
Claude Pierce, the remainder of those present were all under 10, Ralph Blodgett
being the youngest.
With many a friendly greeting and hand shake, the day of festivity commenced.
While with croquet, quoits, and various other games of amusement, those of
a sporty turn of mind were amused, others enjoying the apple tree shade, or
reclining in hammocks, discussed the topics of the day, including oil in Arkwright,
marl in Cassadaga and dairying but principally the talk was of grape culture
for it is a well known fact, that at this season of all the seasons of the
year, when the grapes begin to turn, and the grape harvest seems near at hand,
that grape growers feel that they are the people, that only a grape grower
is in the swim, all other occupations sink into insignificance with grapes
at 20 cts a basket and a large yield, you can imagine the dignity with which
they answer their less fortunate brothers from the hills. Oh yes, the varieties
are ripening, we will commence picking the concords now in about two weeks.
Thus the day passed pleasantly, until about two o'clock when the summons
came to prepare for dinner when all repaird to the house, to relieve the tables
which were there spread, of some of their burdens. After doing justice to
a sumptuous repast, where were seated representatives of four generations,
hilarity again reigned, until they were again called together to listen or
take part in a literary programme, prepared by Mrs. Mary Dorman. We regret
we can not recall all the names of those who took part, but would say however
that the songs a recitations by the youinger people were very interesting.
The essay written by Mrs. Maria Scott was entertaining as well as instructing,
carrying us back in traditional history, to the Colonial day of New England
and mentioned many interesting incidents connected with the lives of our grand
parents in Chaut. Co. After the literary exercises were over, the races were
called on, Abram Blodgett proved to be the ablest wrestler, and the swiftest
runner.
Thus passed a day which will be long remembered as a day of enjoyment, and
when the time for parting came reluctantly, they departed with the understanding
that they will meet next fall at the home of Francis and Maria Scott.
Birt Pierce