In writings about pre-revolutionary Rochester, there is little mention of any celebrations. This is understandable as settlers were busy creating homes and farms out of pasturage, bogs and forests. In addition, the Pilgrim, Puritan ethos meant that most celebrations centered around the church.
After the war things began to change and in 1793, the tenth anniversary of the end of the Revolutionary War was cause for a town celebration. From that time on, articles in our files show that residents were happy to turn out to celebrate town milestones, such as the 200th and 250th anniversaries of Rochester’s founding. Because Rochester began as a town whose land area included today’s Mattapoisett, Marion and a significant portion of Wareham, all these towns were included in both the planning and celebrating.
A few years prior to 1879, it was voted at Rochester Town meeting that James S. Luce, Esq. should copy the old Proprietors’ records. The Proprietors were the persons negotiating with Plymouth to purchase what was called the “Sepecan” grant which was the land that became Rochester. While transcribing these papers, he noted that the first meeting to discuss this purchase was held in Plymouth on July 22, 1679. Luce then called this date to the attention of authorities and recommended that a Bicentennial celebration should be held on July 22, 1879.
This suggestion galvanized the towns to pass warrants and to begin planning for a day of commemoration. Each town: Rochester, Marion, Mattapoisett and Wareham formed committees to plan for the event. Then the committees from the 4 towns met in Marion on April 21,1879 and Capt. Benjamin F. Gibbs of Wareham was chosen to be Chairman, Augustine W. Bisbee of Rochester chosen as Secretary, Capt. I.N. Hathaway of Marion was picked to be Treasurer. It was truly a multitown effort. Sub committees were formed. They were: Solicit Funds, Dinner, Grounds, Martial music, Guests, Reception, Procession, Transportation, Vocal Music, Printing, Decorations, Police, General Committee, Seats and Tables.
They then appointed Officers of the Day
President, Gerard C. Tobey of Wareham
Vice Pres., William Barstow, Esq. of Marion
Chief Marshall, George Purrington Jr. of Mattapoisett
Toastmaster, Rev. H.C. Vose of Marion
Chaplain, Rev. William Leonard of North Rochester
Invitations were sent to local and state dignitaries, arrangements were made with the Old Colony Railroad for extra trains to be added and reduced fares to be offered. A New Bedford firm was hired to provide the dinner. It took 9 meetings that were “characterized by harmony and unanimity” to complete the planning.
Weather cooperated on the day of the celebration which began with a procession to Handy’s Grove (the selected site) in Marion. The Grove had been decorated with greenery, flags and banners. The festivities began at noon. The Middleboro Brass Band played “an olio of National airs” and a choir of 50 people sang “Auld Lang Syne”. Then the Rev. Leonard read the 8th chapter of Deuteronomy in which God promises his “blessings to those who serve him and the curse on those who neglect to do so”. He then offered a prayer.
Next a welcome address was given by the President of the Committee. It was followed by the main speech called an “Oration” and presented by Noble Warren Everett of Wareham. This speech began with the landing of the Mayflower, progressed through all of the wars in which men of the town fought and ended with thoughts of the future and wonders yet to come. This oration takes up 55 pages in the 5×9 book published for the Bicentennial.
Dinner, a clambake, was then served. After dinner, the speeches resumed at about 3:00 in the afternoon with the Toastmaster introducing 11 Speakers. At the conclusion of these “Sentiments and Responses”, the approximately 6000 people in attendance joined the choir in singing “Praise God from whom all blessings flow” and the day of celebration ended. I’m impressed with the planning that took place in a relatively short time, as well as with the patience and stamina of the attendees. I also wonder how long it took that many attendees to leave the grove and head home.