radius of ten miles of where we now stand. Their children in their turn have raised families of strong manly men and womanly women. As a son of a son of the youngest son of John More, I greet and congratulate you on your good fortune to-day. Unless the blood of your forefathers has been tainted with sin or corrupted by unhealthy alliances, you have to-day, in your veins that which wealth cannot buy-worth more than gold-an invaluable inheritance. You believe in the law of heredity-that the sins of the forefathers are visited upon the children to the third and fourth generation. Then by the sacred duty that we owe to posterity let us by all that in us lies strive to keep these strains pure. But there is something else that we are indebted to our ancesters for and without which our lives are purposeless, negative and full of confusionsomething which acts directly by presence and without means-something which, if we have in a large degree, will make itself felt like light and heat. When I read the simple story of the lives of this little Scotchman and his wife and the record of the upright walk and conversation of their seven sons and one daughter in this community, I am convinced that there is something else to which we ought to claim title by inheritance, that has come down to us from the generations of the past, of the greatest value. I am led to believe that the lives of this family-the first of the Mores to come to this country must have been in harmony with the laws of nature and that they possessed, in a large degree, that natural power, character, spoken of by Emerson, which can no more be withstood than any other natural force. I am simply judging the tree by the fruit-the fountain by the quality of water it sends forth. We all recognize and acknowledge a natural law in the physical world-that like produces likethat an acorn will grow an oak every time. Just as surely, as our higher natures are brought into harmony with the law that governs them, and we live and act in obedience to that law-God's lawthe truth-we shall find that we have not only inherited from our ancesters "that reserve force which acts directly by presence and without means but that we have increased that rich estate. If we have inherited these rich legacies, these primary elements to success and happiness, let us use them as God intended they should be used for the benefit of mankind We are placed in the best age of the world's his tory-in the land of every land the pride. This Government is what it is because of the character of the men who established tt. It's foundations were laid upon truth and justice. It has flourished and prospered because the principals which controlled in the administration of affairs were in harmony with the laws of nature. It will continue to do so, so long as the masses of its citizens are intelligent and live lives in harmony with truth and virtue. Neither an individual or a nation can long escape the penalty of a violated law. It is eternally true that "'righteousnesss exhaulteth a nation and sin is a reproach to any people." We have seen this prop osition so often demonstrated in the history of the rise and fall of nations that we are convinced that Solomon knew whereof he spoke. Righteousness! What does it mean? Is it not simply right thinking, right believing, and right acting? Simply living in harmony with truth and thus reaching the summit of being? Would that I had the power to inspire every one of us with a true appreciation, of the value of our inheritance, and of our duty to transmit the same to our children, so that we and they may measure up to the largest possibilities of being. Would that we all might be constantly filled and enthused with the idea, that we may become possessed of a natural force which can no more be withstood than the rolling of the spheres. Then would we be able to fructify our inheritance and become co-workers with the Ruler of the Universe! After the address the company united in singing the national hymn and then formed in procession and marched to the Jay Gould Memorial Church for THE MEMORIAL SERVICES-AT II A. M. The audience room of the church was filled by the company of Cousins which had been augmented by numerous arrivals since the evening before, and contained such a congregation as seldom assembles, in which all are united by the strong and sacred tie of kinship. A feeling of quiet solemnity stole over the recently animated company as they assembled beneath the arches of the sacred edifice to engage in services commemorative of those who since the last Reunion had departed from us, and not a few faces were recalled that were seen for the last time on that occasion. The services opened with an organ voluntary by Mrs. Edward C. Burhaus, organist of the church. The President, Chas. Church More, presided and the others who were to take parts in the exercises occupied seats upon the platform. The Scriptures were read by Samuel P. More, of Great Bend, Pa., and a most appropriate prayer offered by Charles Herbert More, of Montpelier, Vt.. Rev. Nathen Demarest, pastor of the church, then welcomed the clan in the following well selected words: Mr. President and members of the More family As pastor of this church in which you assemble, I take great pleasure in extending to you our heartiest greeting on behalf of my consistory, one of whom is a direct descendant of John More. I bid you welcome to this church, and to every part of the building. Ever since the organization of this Reformed Church of Roxbury almost a century ago, members of your family have been numbered among its most worthy and honored sons and daughters During all that period your family has seldom, if ever, been without a representative in our con sistory. From this church and from this community your sons and your daughters have gone forth to achieve success and renown, and to establish godly homes in various parts of our beloved land. It is especially appropriate that your re-union services should be held within these walls, which were erected by members of one of the branches of your family, in loving memory of one of your most illustrious sons. I trust therefore that you will not deem our greeting a mere perfunctory salutation, but will rather receive it as the sincere and cordial welcome of your kinsmen and friends to the old home-church of your forefathers. Though I am not officially authorized to represent the people of this community, I am sure that you will find a warm welcome in every home on these hills or among these valleys where your ancestors lived and died, and where many members of your family still reside. And while the ties of earthly kinship are renewed and cemented by this gathering of your clan, may you also be bound together in full worship with that highest and noblest family, which is known as the Household of Faith," and every member of which, through the blood of our elder brother, has become a child of the Most High God, our Father in Heaven. The President after happily responding to the pastor's welcome, on behalf of the Family Association extended a most cordial welcome to the visiting clansmen and urged them to improve to the utmost the privilege of social and friendly intercourse which they would enjoy. He also on behalf of the Association thanked the authorities of the church for the privileges accorded in the use of their house of worship for our Family gathering. On behalf of the visiting cousins Prof. Taylor More, of Orchard Lake, Mich, gave a very fitting response, a part of which was as follows: MR. PRESIDENT: Let me assure you that your cordial welcome begets a like response from each of your kin. For sincerity begets sincerity; cordiality begets cordiality; and a welcome, welcomes gratitude. One A reunion of kindreds, especially of the magni tude of this reunion, is an exceptional occurrence, and it is as commendable as it is exceptional. of the fairest flowers of the human soul, is a genuine respect for our ancestors. It elevates the character. It improves the heart. "It is with antiquity as with ancestry, nations are proud of the one, individuals of the other" and we are glad, in this early home of our clan, to pay respectful and loving tribute to the memory of our sturdy and noble ancestors. Respect thus shown, love for this Plymouth of our clan, for the mountains our fathers trod and cleared, the soil they tilled and the tress they planted, is the germ of the best patriotism, the hope of society. Cicero said: "Friendship is the one thing in the world concerning the usefulness of which all mankind are agreed," and Johnson says that "a man should keep his friendship in constant repair and if he does not make new acquaintances as he advances in life, he'll find himself alone." "Friendship is the mysterious cement of the soul, the sweetness of life, the solder of society." We are grateful for this reunion of widely scattered and constantly diverging generations, and for the privilege of renewing, enlarging and extending the acquaintance, friendship and intimacy of our kindred. These reunions afford the best possible oppotunity, not only of meeting our acquaintances, but kindred never before seen; of coming under the the good influence of our clan. We do not forget that at our last reunion two strangers met who proved to be brothers. Many years had passed since they left this valley. Their moist eyes and tremulous speech evidently indicated the value of that reunion to them. We do not forget that living hands decorated more than three score graves. We do not forget that this place was publicly and permanently marked as the shrine of our clan; that here our memorial stands; that our family record is sealed beneath its graceful column; that many who participated in that dedication have gone into the haven of eternal rest, their forms have faded from our sight, but they are cherished in our memory. We are better for having known them. Some we should not have known but for that reunion. We do not forget that our ancestors represented all that was best and most progressive in education, industry and religion. They were well and sensibly balanced. Humor and mirth were by no means lacking and we are justly entitled to those characteristics, which in our ancestors, made life happier and brighter in these valleys, and to be not like "Those who where'er they go find naught to please or to exult. Their constant study but to find perpetual modes of finding fault." But like Those who in the round of daily toil and daily care, can yet cull flowers from common ground, and twice enjoy the joy they share. After the response the hymn beginning "Blest be the Tie that Binds," etc., was sung, the congregation uniting, being led by an improvised choir composed of members of the family. The President then introduced Hon. Charles More Preston, of Kingston, N. Y., who delivered the Memorial address. We regret that we cannot give it in full, as it would be replete with interest to those who were not permitted to hear it. In opening he referred to the present prevalent interest people have in investigating their ancestry -of the just pride of those who are able to join the "Sons and Daughters of the Revolution," and remarked that we were all eligible through our grand old ancestor in whose memory five years ago we unveiled the beautiful shaft we visited this morning. But he claimed that the historian had traced our ancestry far beyond the period of the Revolution and that for 1100 years from 503 A. D to 1603 A. D. the reigning Kings of Scotland either bore the name of More or were their lineal descendants under other names. After verifying this by various extracts from Scotch History he said: "It seems evident that John More our common ancestor was a descendant of some line of that remarkable family. Some of you may be proud of this fact, some may be indifferent with regard to it, some may doubt or scoff at it, but none of you can successfully deny it." Concerning the growth of the family he said: "The More family in America has increased and replenished the earth from 222 who were living in 1840 when the rugged old pioneer John More died to 1242 in 1895." In regard to their character he said: "I think I can truthfully say that as a family we average very well. There is not to my knowledge a descendant of the family at the present time who is not a credit to the same. There may be a very few exceptions and it would seem strange if there were not some out of 1242, but there are very few indeed." After contrasting the circumstances, privileges and character of the early and later Mores he referred to those who had departed this life since the last Reunion in these words: "While we rejoice to meet one another to-day there are many we met five years ago to whom we cannot extend our hearty greetings, as they have been led by unseen gentle hands to that peaceful happy land beyond where we are taught "The wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest." Some were found too frail to buffet with the storm on life's ocean, others had journeyed to the prime of life, and not a few rounded out a full, happy, prosperous career to a ripe old age, surrounded by the blessings of sweet family ties." He then read the names of 40 members of the family who had departed during the five years, and closed with these lines. "Forty souls-would there were but seven, Forty souls-we could not spare eleven, Forty souls-gone to their rest in Heaven." The exercises were closed by singing another hymn and after a short intercession the clan adjourned to the social rooms of the church to enjoy THE BANQUET. The local committee of arrangements, of which Mr. Otis P. More was the efficient chairman, had spared no pains in caring for this not unimportant part of the convocation and a jollier lot of people never gathered around a festive board than were the cousins on this occasion. After due attention had been given to the menu Toastmaster David F. More took charge of affairs and the following toasts and responses were given. "The More Family in 1795 and 1895," by Samuel P. More, of Great Bend, Pa.; "The Possibilities and Practicabilities of our Family Association," Dr. Wm. More Decker, of Kingston, N. Y.; 'Our College Boys," Prof. Jesse More Greenman, of Harvard University; "Our Solid Business Men," by John F. Keator, of Philadelphia; "Wit and Humor of the More Family," William L. More, of Philadelphia; "Allied members-reciprocity of the Alliance," Samuel W. Marvin, New York City. This feast of reason continued for about two hours and was most enthusiastically enjoyed. A single item of impromptu business worthy of mention was transacted at that time. The change of the name of Moresville to Grand Gorge was touched upon, when a motion was presented that an effort be made to get the old name restored or at least a name embracing that of More. The motion was most cordially received and the following committee was appointed to try and effect the change: Hon. Chas. More Preston, Chairman; Arthur More, of Deposit, N. Y.; Samuel P. More, Great Bend, Pa., and Chas. Harley, Grand Gorge, N. Y. At 8 P. M. the clan agai assembled in the auditorium of the church for the Violin Solo, "Hungarian Dance" Piano Solo. Song, "Long Ago Miss Crosby Mr. Frederick S. Smith Messrs. More and Kraft Quartette, Blue Bells of Scotland" Mrs. Burhans, Miss Alice Northrop and Messrs. More and Kraft Violin Solo, "Cadellica Rusticani" Miss Crosby Song, Auld Lang Syne". . Choir and Audience This proved to be not only a most enjoyable occasion but it gave convincing proof of the natural musical talent possessed by those taking part and the high state of cultivation that talent had enjoyed. On Thursday at 10 A. M. the family again assembled-this time on the old Jonas More flats above the village for the 4 4 6 7 7 7 In the afternoon of Thursday business meetings of the Association and of the Permanent Committee were held. The following items of business were transacted. The Association voted to substitute for section IV of the "Plan of Organization" the following section: "The affairs of this Association shall be administered by a Permanent Committee consisting of eight members of each of the eight branches of the family, four of whom shall be males and four females. The committee shall have power by vote at any of its regular meetings to fill vacancies in their members, provided always that each of the eight lines of descent shall be entitled to eight members on the committee. This committee shall hold its meetings subject to the call of the Presi dent. Eight members present shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business." The Permanent Committee at its meeting reelected the former officers for the term of five years, viz Chas. C. More, President; Otis P. More, Vice-President; Geo. G. Decker, Treasurer; David F. More, Secretary. They elected as members of the Permanent Committee, in accordance with the amendment to the Plan of Organization, the thirtytwo members of the Ladies' Auxiliary Committee, consisting of four from each branch of the family -the said ladies will please consider this mention as personal notice of their election. The committee also continued the Finance Committee of the Reunion for the next five years or until the next Reunion. They also decided to ask for a 50 cent annual due from each adult member of the family to cover current expenses of printing, postage and care of the monument, with the hope that a sufficient sum might be secured to meet the expenses of future Reunions without asking contributions for that purpose at those gatherings. They instructed the Secretary to issue annually a family periodical in which should be reported the changes taking place in the family. Births, deaths, marriages, change of residence and such other information as might be of general interest to the clan. There remains but one more gathering to record, THE PROMENADE. This was held in the Masonic Hall on Thursday evening and was attended by young and old. The Jacob Ellis Orchestra, of Kingston, N. Y., provided the music. The grand march, in which all present participated, was led by Judge John W. Champlin, of Grand Rapids, Mich., and Mrs. Timothy N. Holden, of Aurora, Ill., and from that time forward the cousins who trip the light fantastic toe formed an animated centre piece to the assembly, while those who did not indulge therein constituted a social border for the scene. Before midnight the music had ceased, the hall was silent, and the Reunion was over. REUNION ECHOES. On Tuesday morning before the Reunion began there was a flag raising at the Village School House at which a large number of the clan were present. The school building had been remodeled and enlarged, some of the funds therefore having been provided through an entertainment given by the Misses Northrop, supplemented by a contribution from Miss Gould. By request Mr. John F. Keator presided and introduced Judge J. W. Champlin, who gave an eloquent and appropriate address. There was a fitness in his so doing, as he taught in the old building forty years before. The pole and a beautiful silk flag were presented by Mrs. John F. Keator. After the address and a .patriotic song by Robert Kraft, amid loud huzzas the flag was unfurled to the breeze. We are glad to have had this pleasant patriotic incident connected with our Reunion. Miss Helen Miller Gould gave still another evidence of her deep interest in her father's native place in providing a Public Library in the village of Roxbury. She purchased the former Gould cottage, where her father resided when a young man, furnished it and supplied a library of several hundred volumes and has presented it to a Board of Trustees for the use of the citizens of the Town. Mr. Abram Blumberg, of Ojai Hot Springs, Col., a descendant of Alexander, brother of John More, our ancestor, was present at the Reunion. He left Roxbury many years ago and made his fortune in the land of gold. This Alexander More lived and was buried near Moresville. He left no sons but several daughters, who married and have descendants living by the names of Blumberg, Mackey, Daniels, Tompkins, Wickes, Fuller, Pappino, Peck, Still and Branch. The badge worn at the Reunion was of satin ribbon, with the words "The More Family Reunion, 1895," in gold, surrounding the Scotch thistle. The different branches were designated by different colored ribbons. They were very tastefully de signed. The History of the More Family can still be obtained of the Secretary, David F. More, Bangor, Pa. Price, five dollars per volume, delivered. It has 400 pages and 100 illustrations. Every household in the clan should possess a volume. George Decker Marvin, (1133), has entered Harvard since the Reunion, and his brother, Alex. Brewster Marvin (1134) entered Yale at the same time. Jesse More Greenman (883), who gave a response to one of the toasts at the Reunion, is tutor in the Botanical Department of Harvard. Taylor More (470), who gave the response to the Welcome at the Reunion, is an ihstructor in the Michigan Military Academy, at Orchard Lake, Mich. Our family at the present time contains five Gospel ministers: Rev. James H. More, M. D., who for many years has labored as a Methodist Pastor or Presiding Elder in Northern Illinois; Rev. Edwin More, Pastor of a Congregational Church in Princeton, Ill.; Rev. Charles L. Leonard, a Methodist Pastor in Trout Creek, Delaware County, N. Y.; Rev. James Monroe Seacord is a Free Methodist Pastor at Neosho Rapids, Kansas. His brother, George Washington Seacord, is also in the ministry of the same denomination at Freeport, Kansas. Hon. Charles More Preston, who for several years has been Superintendent of Banks in New York State, has recently resigned and accepted the posi tion of President of the Equitable Securities Investment Company, of New York City. George C. Preston, of Kingston, N. Y., has recently been appointed Agent of the Equitable Se curities Investment Company for the Southern States. His headquarters will be at Atlanta, Ga., to which city he expects to remove his family. Residing in that city Mr. Preston will become the Southernmost representative of our tamily. Until within a short time our genial cousin, Samuel P. More, of Great Bend, Pa., had a sort of a monopoly as our only representative in the journalistic line, but he is no longer alone, as Jacob C. More, of Grand Rapids, Mich., is concerned in the publication of an Evangelistic paper in that State bearing the caption of "Live Coals," and Jason Charles Frisbee and his father, Hon. Rufus King Frisbee, of Denver, Colo., are engaged in publishing a Christian Endeavor periodical called "The Active Member," the organ of the State Association of Colorado. Both of these journals are ably conducted and doing excellent work each in its special line. Our cousin, Frederick Vernon Coville, United States Botanist, has just published a new botanical work under the euphonious title of "Botany of Yakutat Bay, Alaska." Helen Kidgie More, private secretary to Mrs. Senator Hurst, has accompanied her on a tour of the Mediterranean on the steamer Fuerst Bismark. Mrs. Chauncey More, of Marlboro, N. Y., has spent several months abroad visiting Great Britain and the Continent. Many members of our family attended the Roxbury Academy. All such will be pleased to learn of the welfare of Prof. John W. McLaury and his sister, Miss Mary McLaury. They have lived in the South for a number of years, the professor going there for the benefit of his health, which he fully recovered. They reside at present at Charlotte, N. C. Mr. McLaury was a born teacher and did very much to awaken the minds of those under his instruction. The institution was noted for the number of teachers it prepared for service, among whom our family was well represented. William L. More, of Philadelphia, when at the Reunion was so pleased with Roxbury that he engaged a cottage for next Summer and expects to regain his youth in the invigorating mountain air. The Cousins should not overlook the importance of sending to the Secretary the changes occurring, Births, Deaths, Marriages and Changes of Residence for entry in the Permanent Record, which has been prepared at some cost and considerable labor, and which can only be made of continuous value by the aid of all the members of the clan. It is very doubtful if any other family in our country of anywhere near its size and distribution have as perfect an organization aud as well kept records as ours and every member of the family should feel a just pride in maintaining the precedence. FIFTY YEARS AGO. Up to and for a while after the death of John More, our ancestor, in 1840, what a peculiar social situation existed among our Family. Nearly all of the more than 200 members then living dwelt within less than ten miles of each other and enjoyed frequent and cordial visitation between the various families. All were on an equal footing; none rich, none could be called poor. Friendliness prevailed almost unanimously, dissentions were almost unknown among them and they could go neither to the shop, nor store, nor church but they were among relatives who felt a kindly interest in each other. What a contrast to our present city life or the social position of most of us-dwelling in places where very few people are related to us by kinship or feel any such special interest as comes from kinship. That period was unique, it existed but once, its repetition was impossible. The right sort of a literary genius could find in it abundant material for a most interesting work, but where is the genius? OUR COLLEGE MEN AND WOMEN. It is proposed to gather information for a brief and concise record of each member of the family who has attended college. The data required would be about as follows: Name of preparatory school, year of graduation, name of college, class, course of study, degrees, honors, prizes, secret f.aternity belonged to, also scientific, literary and honorary societies, musical organizations, part taken in athletics, etc. The following members of the family we know have attended college, but there are doubtless a number more who have done so and we would request them also to send us the above information. Of course any information given in the Family History need not be repeated. Willard P. Smith. Mary B. More Abram G. More Morris C. Bidwell Marie More (Marsh) John E. More. Luzerne Coville Fred. V. Coville. Edward Fitch. George D. Marvin. Gilbert J. Palen. Charles C. More David F. More. George F. More. Fred. Brasted. C. Bruce Smith J. More Greenman. Frank Jay Gould Anna Palen John F. Keator Bruce S. Keator Harry M. Keator Alex. B. Marvin Amherst Barnard, '97 Col. City of N. Y. Columbia Cornell Cornell, '71 Cornell, '86 Cornell, '87 Hamilton '86 Harvard '99 Lafayette '98 Univ. of Ill. Univ. of Iowa Univ. of Louisville Univ of Pa. Univ. of New York '99 Wellesley Yale '77 Yale '79 Yale '97 Yale '99 |