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This was sent in by Kathleen Novicki, who wrote, "I have transcribed
this from a copy that Ken Mowers, a descendant of the Mowers family from
Oswego Co., sent to me. The spelling and punctuation remain as written.
Thanks Ken for giving it to me and allowing it to be used on the web!"
Part 1: August 10th 1895 The near friends and relatives of Henry Mowers met at this residence for a surprise and the events of the day were so pleasing to all present, That it was sugested, That we form into an association, and meet to gather every year, To renew our friendship. Forty-one were present. After dinner the people called togather.
The place of meeting was to be at Uncle Henry’s and to be the Saturday nearest his birthday, which is the 10th of August. After a prayer by Joseph W. Nichols, the company dispersed. Hoping
to meet again next year.
Lydia E. Mowers Secretary. A Surprise party chronicled. Now it came to pass in the third year of the reign of Grover (whose) surname was Cleveland) That there dwelt in the land of Williamstown, near Kasoag, A man Henry of the tribe of Mower, who also dwelt, with one Ebenezer of the tribe of McLean. Now this man had many friends, and his sayings and doings were pleasing
to all, who dwelt in the land.
Now when Henry whose surname was Mower saw the coming of the tribes, He was astonished and said: What meaneth this? And his good wife answered and said Father knowest thou not, That this day thou hast attained to the age of three score and ten and nine years and these thy children and thy kindred have come to make merry with thee? And the old man rejoiced and said, Behold thou hast come a long journey and the sun has waxed hot; Let us prepair a feast, for this people under the shade of thee trees before the dwelling, and let us eat, drink and be merry. So the feast was spread and there sat down beneath the trees, Old men and wemen and young men and maidens and children to the number of two score and one. Now when the end of feasting drew nigh Joseph of the tribe of Nichols
of the land of Williamstown, called the people togather, and said as it
seemeth good in the eyes of all these tribes gathered here this day, and
they will remember their kindred, let us appoint one day of each year to
come up and feast with him; for is he not oldest of all the tribes?
Before they departed many presented him with gifts-apparel and things pleasing to him. And low! A Benjaminite of the land of South Albion, aroze and said, apparel and fancy things have I none, but such as I have give I thee, and he gave him silver, and the young men and others did likewise untill the old man’s face beamed with joy. And his pockets jingled with silver. Then the old man said, although you have secretly planned this against one, you have rejoiced my heart, and may this joy and much more come likewise to thee. At the going down of the sun, the old men and wemen and the sons and
daughters of the kindred tribes were wending their way homeward, feeling
that a plesant day had been spent in the land of Williamstown.
The second chapter of the chronicles of the Mowers tribe Now it came to pass again in the forth year of the reign of Grover Cleveland, That the sons and daughters of the different tribes of Mowers communed amoung themselves saying the time of feasting draweth nigh. Let us prepare our selves and journey to the land of Williamstown that lieth round about Kasoag, where dwellith Uncle Henry who has reached the age of four score years. Now this Henry being lift alone, Took to wife a daughter of the tribe of one McLean, whose people called Esquire accordingly on the 8th day of the 8th of the year, one thousand eigth-hundred and ninety-six. The assembled to gather of the tribes of Mowers and McLean from Jefferson, Fulton, Oneida, Onondaga and Oswego Counties to the number of 114. After the feast and the election of officers for the ensuing year, the absent ones were affectionately remembered. Mrs John Mowers, and Mrs Stephen Brownell, who were lying dangerously ill at their homes. Now the band of musicians from Fraicheur were present and while the people were listening to the strains of the music the friends showed their regards for their aged Uncle by contributing their mites untill more then $10 filled the hearts of Uncle Henry and his wife with unspeakable joy, to which gift he feelingly responded. And the people said one to another, as long as this man shall live and our lives are spared, we will meet with him, one day in each year upon his birthday. Now the rest of the acts of the tribes are they written in the book
of Lydia, the scribe, and Georgianna the president.
The Third Chapter of Chronicles of Uncle Henry Mowers Birthday Party Now it came to pass in the first year of the reign of William Mc Kinly. The governor over all the land where dwelt the Mowerites. That James of the tribe Gummins, who dwells in the land where roameth the bear, the deer and the coon. Said unto his wife and children, We let us journey to the land of Williamstown, where dwelleth our kindred and testeth our dead, for soon will be the time of rejoicing with our aged Uncle. Let us meet with the tribes there and make merry with them. And these sayings pleased all that were in his house, and they started on their journey. In the tenth day of the eight month of the year 1897 They reached the dwelling of Henry of the Mower, where they assembled old men and wemen, young men and maidens and little children to the number of 153, who strove to be merry, despite the falling rain and the disapointment of not seeing those who expected to be present as the feast was being prepared, behold there came in the midst of them, William of the tribe of Davy, from the land of Minnesota, who once dwelt among us and took to wife a fair damsel, who was want to wild the rod over the youth of the land. Now amoung the number were seen Esquire Degarmo with wife and mother, of Parish; James the tribe of McLean, with Henry, the son of Ebenezar, who for many years have dwelt in the sunny south in the land of Virginia; Jessie, of the tribe of Crossley, with his wife, her son Henry, sister Mary Crossley and niece, Mrs Crout; also Dana Davenport, a granddaughter of the host, with her husband F. J. Davenport and son Master Ruel H. all fresh from the City of Salt. A daughter Mrs. H Mulvinhill, with her husband C. Mulvinhill, son and daughter Dan and May, from Rome. There too was Mrs. B. F. Joy, with here two sons and daughter, from Brooklyn, who comes in each year to greet us with her smiles; and Thomas Everleigh. The champion of the wheel, who comes from the eastern coast of the United States, altho he is a single man. Prominently were seen those who wear the ministerial garb; Jabes Ford with wife and daughter of Camden and William Baker, who assists in the pulpit and in song with his guitar. Esquire Maccauley and daughter Eliza, of Williamstown executed some fine pieces on the flute. Mrs M. D. Pratt and Miss Leona Ford graced the organ and the martial music by the Fracheur band all tended to make the occasion enjoyable. Dinner being over a birthday poem was read by Otis Mowers a selection addressed to the aged by Mrs. F.S. Mowers recitations were given by Lewis Gardner, Barney Mowers, George Wright, Mary Mulvinhill, Mary Wright, and Sadie Jacobson. Now George a son of Abraham of the tribe of Jacobson, who always brings his hat passed it around. And as his years increased, and the storms of life grow fiercer Uncle Henry will tell you how much joy he realized from his birthday gift of $11.29 The forth chapter of Chronicles of Uncle Henry Mowers birthday party Aug 10th 1898 In the second year of the reign of William McKinley, when the kindred tribes of the Mowers were preparing themselves to attend the feast of their uncle at the time when the days of his years attained four score and two, they said one to another, wheather shall we go? For on the tenth day of the eight month the people in the land of Amboy have proclaimed to meet at the waters of the North Pond, and there discourse with him those battle scared worthier, who served their country in her time of need, and hear them recount their defeat or triumphs on the field of battle. So some went one way and some another. Thero no one came up from that Country, saw George of the tribe of Ware, who said to his good wife, We have never met at the feast of those kindred. Let us go and learn of them and their doings. Now this saying pleased his wife and they went. Now of the other kindred, who journed from afar to meet with them for the first time were: Frank B King with his sister Josephine Crossett and family of the tribe of Samuel of Orwell. Everette J of the tribe of James whose surname was Mellen who dwells in Parish and his brother James who dwells in Syracuse with his sister Miss Dora of Herkimer. Miss Minnie of the tribe of Elisha who surname is Roberts, of New York Mills. Andrew of the tribe of Crossley of Darritt Herbert of the tribe of Price who apropriator of a bakery at Rome furnished Uncle Henry with delicous Graham bread during his long illness while visiting another relation in that city last year. Those togather, with those who came from Rome, Syracuse, Camden, Williamstown, Parish, Fraicheur, Albion, Altmar, Hong Kong, Orwell and New Haven numbered 136. It rejoiceth our hearts to know that Franklin E and John J. have lost none of the gallantry of their younger days for did not their bravery bring the blush to the cheeks of the boys who came alone? After the feast at the long table proper before the dwelling, the soul stirring music of the fife and drown of the Fracheur band reminded us that we were all soldiers in the battle of life, and wheather its storms are churning or other wise depends upon the pace which we keep step. Then came forth a young lady of the tribe of Peter whose surname is Truax who joined himself to the tribe last year. And played on an insterment of sweet sound to the delight of all. And James B Mickle, Mrs. WE Carlton, Misses Dora Madison, Dora Edick, Bessie Drew, Hattie Sperling, May Wright, Myrtie Wright, and Master Otto Gardner stood up and said good things which they had learned. Edd Ford the chief speaker of the land when they assembled in their tabernacles of worship arose and spoke the minds of the people. There was a manifest feeling of gratitude to god for the restoration to health of the one they met this day to know, and a wish that many days might be added to his life, and a peaceful rest at last. Since our meeting last year, has accrued three deaths and nine marriages, after the song, “God be with you till we meet again. And the benedicion and parting blessing, the company retired leaving a birthday gift to Uncle Henry of $9.55 nine dollars and fifty cents. Now the acts and sayings of the tribes are they not written in the book of Lydia the scribe and Georgianna the president. Lydia E Mowers
The fifth chapter of chronicles of Uncle Henry’s birthday party; Now it came to pass in the first year of the reign of Theodore Roosevelt, governor of the State of New York, that the time of the gathering togather of the different tribes of Mowersites drew nigh and the younger ones of the tribes, said one to another, each year our fathers, mothers, Uncles, and Aunts; go up to make merry, with our aged grandfather. Why do we stay away? And they reasoned among themselves; saying his age has now reached to fourscore and three years. It would rejoice his heart, to see his children’s children even to the forth generation. The god of our father’s, have caused his blessing to rest upon him, that he might dwell long in the land. We will come and take our little ones and go up to the land of Williamstown on the tenth day of the ninth month at the time of the feast, on the day appointed from the morning till the going down of the sun. Low, there appeared at the dwelling of Uncle Henry, a large company to the number of 153 whose every eye beaming with joy seemed to say we will rejoice and be merry this Joy yet with this as with earthly joys, there comes a feeling of sadness, when we think of the absent ones who met with us last year and whose faces we shall see not more. Since our meeting last year death has taken of the relatives, Darius Jackson, age 67, Mrs. Stephen Brownell age 56, Hiram Kent and Mrs Stephen Mowers of Stratford, NY. David Mowers aged 28, Warren Crossly age 22, Samuel O Mowers age 19, Nila Gibbs age 9 mo, Walter B Roberts 1 mo. Warren Jacobson’s child, Viola Crim’s child, Ernest Pratt’s two children. There have been five marriages Uncle Henry’s oldest granddaughter; who has drank the cup of single blessedness long enough. Dora Mellen to Edgar Link; Mrs. Eva Mowers to George Dagher; Nelson Price to Miss Ella White; Miss Mamie Duell to Albert Lewis; Franklin Edwards to Miss Luciana Spencer; Those whose interested the company with music, recitation and select readings were, Mrs. Lana Davey Mrs. Frank Davenport, Lillian Truax, Dora Madison, Hattie Sperling, Grace Billhardt, Jennie Freeman, Mary Wright, Myrtie Wright, Sadie Jacobson, Marrietta Joy, Albert Joy, Otto Gardner, Irvin McLean, Barney Mowers, Chas. Allen, Walter J. Edmonds, a boy of eight who executed a piece on the organ and last but not least was the band of music from Fraicheur. Rev. J. B. Ford made the closing remarks and the closing song “ God be with you till we meet again”, Farewells were spoken and the tribes journed to their homes leaving Uncle Henry a present of $7. 56. There were present on this occasion Henry Mowers, his daughter, Harriet Muvinhill, her two daughters; Dana Davenport, her son Ruell Henry Davenport; Hattie Rasback, her daughter. Hazel Rasback and Walter J. Edmonds, making three children of the forth generation. Marriages since the first meeting at Uncle Henrys Mowers. There has been the following marriages among the relatives. Elihe Roberts to Brewer. Maude Roberts to Charles Gibbs.
Cora Nichols to Frank Dillinback. Dennis Nichols to Maude Scram.
George jacobson to hatie Hughes. Ella Nichold to Alystine James.
Henry Mellen to Nellie Martin. Libbie Brownell to Peter W. Truax.
Phebe Brownell to Willard E. Carlton. H-Franklin Mowers to Katie
Benway. George E Mowers to Myrtie Waite. Warren Jacobson to Maude
Kinsman. Eva Mowers to Geo. Dahger. Lizzie Boshart to Geo Roser.
Myrtie Jacobson to J. Zimmerman. Berta Coffey Abram Nichols. Franklin
Edwards to Lucine Spencer. Nelson Price to Ella White. The
oldest grandaughter of Uncle was married Sept 1898 Miss Dora Mellen to
Edgar Link. Minnie Duel to Albert Lewis. Ivartus Miller to
Mary Widrig. Emily Miller to James Potter. Minnie Roberts to
James Jeffers. Otis N. Mowers to Hattie Griffin. Jesse jacobson
to Nellie Johnson. Bertum Mowers to Hattie Shadduck. Nov 28
1917 Henry Barney Mowers to Reba May King
Deaths
Deaths
Henry Mowers, Georgia Mowers, Herman Mowers, Mary Crossley, Sarah Crossley,
Jessie Crossley, Henry Crossley, Mrs. Callahan, Eff Mc Clean, James McClean,
Henry McClean, Irvin McClean, Lilliam E.Truax, Cora Mabel Ford, Peter Truax,
Wm.W Barker. Mrs. E. McCauley Mrs S Brownell Mrs. P.J. Devereex/
Henrieeta Roberts. Laryd Watkins, Eliza Gillett. Mrs. R.S.
Fenton Anna Fenton. Viletta I.D. Garns, Francis Mowers
Mary DeGramo. Elizabeth Gardner. Arthur W. Davey. Flora
Weade Davey) Mrs. W.F.) Bryon Fenton (Rev. Jabey Ford Camden, N.Y.) G.M.
Loness wife
Sixth Chapter of Chronicles of Uncle Henry’s birthday party Aug 10th 1900: Now it came to pass in the forth year of the reign of William McKinley, the chief ruler over all the land, that ere the time of the feasting of the Mowerites drew nigh; Georgiana; the wife of Uncle Henry, and the president of the association fell sick and wasted away and on the seventeenth day of the senventh month of nineteen hundred, She died; and great lamentation was made for her. For the many kind words spolen and good deeds performed, she is missed from the large circle of relatives and friends and in the Baptis Church in Camden, of which she was an honered member, and was also the first of that congregation of believers to answer the summons of the pale messenger; and on the nineteenth day many gathered at the home to mingle their teers with the weeping friends and follow to her last resting place, the one who had each year opened her heart and home to welcome the many relatives and friends who journed thither to enjoy one day in honer of her aged husband as he passed down the decline of life. And on account of this sad event; the people questioned in their minds as to the prosperity of holding the feast this year as the time was fast approaching. So when the day arrived many were undecided and remained home and the rain prevented some from being there, but sixty-nine who were present united in enjoying the dinner and praising the children who were prepared to take their part in the exercises, : Hattie Sperling, Bessie Irish, Jennie Freeman, Grace Freeman, Sadie Jacobson, Marriatta Joy, Albert Joy and Lloyd Watkins. The singing was fine. Rev. J.B. Ford made some appropriate remarks remembering our worthy president, called from her labors, whome the people of the Community (unable to read this part) Of life, were reluctant to lose from their society, all were thankful
that Uncle Henry was still ?. It was unanimously decided that
Mrs. Harriet Melvihill act as our president. Dring the past year,
there has been seven deaths. And three marriages : Mrs. Darius Jacobson
of Vore? Joseph Nichols of Williamstown, Mrs. Abner Mowers of Parish,
Mrs Chloe Lomis of South Albion; Joseph Mellen of Brockville; Mrs. Delosa
Mallory of Fraicheur; Mrs. Henry Mowers of Kasoag, Miss Minnie of the tribe
of Elisha whose surname was Roberts, embarked on the sea of matromary,
with James Jeffers both of Camden; Jesse son of Henry of the tribe of Jacobson,
charmed by the voice of Nellie Johnson, took her to iwfe; both of Fraicheur
and Berta, received our best wishes when he pledged his honor to Miss Hattie
Shaduck and she became Mrs. Mowers both of South Albion. A contribution
of $4.12 was given to the son of our late president, Herman L. Mowers to
help defray the expenses incurred by the sickness and death of his.
The company was dismissed with prayer by Rev. Ford, to meet in George Jacobson
grove, Aug 10th , 1900.
Births
Died
Harriet L. Blasier born jan 28, 1822
Deaths of Relatives
Deaths of Friends
William Mowers son of Mrs Geo Mowers
Thomas Vader Mowers to Emma A Mowers
Deaths
Henry Mc Lean born Feb 6 1869
Henry Barney Mowers married to Mrs. Essie Joyner June 14, 1939
Many thanks to Kathleen Novicki and Ken Mowers for submitting this. Kathleen has many ancestors from Fraicheur (Williamstown), including, but not limited to the following surnames: ALLEN, JACOBSON, DAVEY, DAVIES, MOWERS, SPERLING, JOHNSON, GARDNER, PRICE, LONESS, SPERLING, and PHILLIPS. Kathleen would love to share information. Please email her at: Knovicki@aol.com Copyright ©
1999 Ken Mowers / Kathleen Novicki / Laura Perkins
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