PAGEANT DRAWS CROWD OF 2,500

The celebration of the founding of Old Union Academy is ended, and in the records of that historic institution will be placed the description of the
pageant, The Book of Memory, which so fittingly closed the occasion Wednesday afternoon and evening. No clearer idea of the history of Old Union could be gained than by viewing the pageant, which was complete to the most minute detail. Fully 2500 tickets were sold for admission
to the Fred Williams paid where [illegible] Had provided a beautiful stage for both afternoon and evening performances. Financially the production was a success, receipts amounting to $865 and expenses something over $500.

Beneath smiling skys, with the rays of the sun [illegible] down, broken here and there only by the branches of the trees in the park, the people of the community presented the historic spectacle which and been written by Emily Hoag [Sawtene?] and portions of it set to verse by [illegible] Butler Bowman of Watertown.

Throughout the pageant the characters were played by descendants of the originals whom they represented, wherever it was possible, and in
several cases those who took part in the history of the affair were present to take part in the pageant. No details were lacking and the presentation
went through without a hitch.

The history of Old Union was traced from the days of its founding up to the present and in the evening the grounds were brilliantly illuminated
by four 1,000 watt lights which gave the setting the aspect of daylight. A large Westinghouse amplifier, the first to be used in this section of the
state, lent volume to the voice of the reader, Major Robert W. Bowman, so that the story could be heard from all parts of the grounds.

A striking, feature of the action was during the funeral parade of Major Barney, when, by special arrangement the historic bell in the bell tower of the Academy which escaped the ravages of the fire two years ago, was tolled several times. At the conclusion of the funeral procession the lights were dimmed and three shots were fired, followed by a bugler blowing taps.

HISTORIC RELICS USED

Many, historic relics were used in the scenes. A wooden canteen, worn by a rebel soldier and taken from him, later to be worn by Chaplain John A. Bowman, was worn by one of the 200 or more persons taking part in the pageant. The sword, carried by Captain J. J. Butler of the 81st Volunteers and bearing the mark of a rebel bullet on the scabbard, was attached to the saddle on the horse following the casket of Major Barney
in the procession, while the boots and spurs in the stirrups were worn by Lieutenant Francis McEnhill of the Second U. S. Cavalry in Cuba and the
Philippines. An old bonnet, more than 100 years old and loaned by Mrs. Stearnes of Sackets Harbor, was worn by one of the women, while Cass
Brimmer appeared in the blue broadcloth wedding coat of his grandfather and Chauncey H. Bickford wore the Old wedding coat of Alvah Bull.

The old buggy which appeared in the afternoon scene was one made nearly 100 years ago and treasured as a relic by the Millard family of Ellisburg. Mrs. Frances Overton appeared in a costume made 100-years ago and belonging to. the Muzzy family of Butterville.

At the soiree given in the evening, the dandelion wine was served in a Silver pitcher presented to Amasa Hungerford in 1825 by the Jefferson
County Agricultural Society for the best farming in the county. He was the grandfather of Anson Hungerford who appeared in the procession riding
in a carriage and bearing the distinction of being one of the few survivors of the Barney regiment.

The dress worn by Lila Bull was the wedding dress of her grandmother, Mrs. McWayne of Sackets Harbor.

Merle Green appeared in a dress longing to the Smith family. The adliams, while Clara Scott wore one belonging to the Sith family. The address of welcome was given by Florence Ellis, a direct descendant, of Richard Ellis, first settler of the town of Ellisburg.

CHARACTER GROUPS AND COSTUMES

Merle Green wore a dress 100 years old; Mrs. Harriet Montague her great-grandmother's dress of 1850; Mrs. Matteson, Carpenter, Fillmore wore dresses 60 years old and the bonnets, 100 years old.

Mrs. Frances Swan wore a crepe veil of the late Aunt Orpha Ellis, which was 100 years old and Mrs. Martha Collins a dress of the late Eldridge Green.

Eliza Mather's bonnet and dress had been carefully preserved by Miss Jennie Mather and were 65 years old.

Mrs. Clara Scott's dress in the second part was of 60 years ago and she wore her hair in the style of those days.

Mrs. Marion Overton wore an embroidered white mull of her mother's which is 85 years old. The dress and silk shawl were loaned by Mrs. T. E.
Fulton, and came from Calcutta and are prized highly by the owner.

Mrs. Cass Brimmer wore a very elaborate morning gown of her mother-in-law, Mrs. Fanny Brimmer Clark.

Mrs. Nell Eastman wore the wedding gown of 1843, loaned by Mrs. C. M. Overton. Lila Bull wore a dress of her grandmother's, Mrs. McWayne,
of Sackets Harbor while Marion Butler Bond wore a dress of the early 40's.

The bonnet worn by Mrs. Bond was over 100 years old and was loaned by Mrs. Stearns of Sackets Harbor.

Cass Brimmer, Chauncy Bickford were dressed in suits, 100 years old.

Mrs. Dean Littlefield with a Quaker cap and kerchief, represented the style of dress worn in those early days.

Mrs. Florence Randall represented an 1860 gown.

Mrs. Hazel Littlefield's dress, loaned by Mrs. Coulter was an heirloom in their family.

Frances Overton wore an antique dress and bonnet. Esther Nohlie, Gladys Brewer, Fern Abbott, Esther Bates, and Ruth Poor wore dresses and bonnets and Paisley shawls of the early 40's.

The community helped to make this Centennial a success along with the leadership of capable women and the attendance of the surrounding country which was fully appreciated by the village.

Miss Jennie Mather, who very impressively acted the part of the Spirit of Belleville, is great, great, great granddaughter of Increase Mather, sister of the famous Cotton Mather.

Roger Williams took the part of his great-grandfather, Jared Williams, a direct descendant of Roger Williams and Jonathan Edwards.

Giles Hall, grandson of the Giles Hall who gave the land on which to build the original Belleville Academy in 1825, took the part of his Grandfather.

Clinton Hubbard, who made the huge memorial book and parts of the costumes of the players, is a great grandson of Clinton Hubbard, one of
Belleville's earliest settlers.

Seymour Eastman, a descendant of Norris Shepardson, took the part of that character, who was a direct descendant of the Elder Brewster.

Jim Green, who led the riderless horse of Major Jack Barney in the funeral procession, actually did lead the riderless horse at Barney's funeral,
during the Civil war.

Besides the pageant chorus, music was furnished by a large orchestra led by Ben Gilbert of Adams, supported by members.of the Watertown
Symphony Orchestra, whose services were secured through the efforts of George Miner of Watertown. These gentlemen, prominent in musical circles of that city, gave their time and talent gratuitously. The orchestra was also augmented by several local musicians of the community and surrounding villages.

Although no notice of her work appeared on the program, the trustees of the Academy were anxious to express their appreciation of the untiring work of Mrs. Florence N. Mather, who served as treasurer of the finance committee of the endowment and building fund and was the chairman of the pageant committee. The trustees feel that they owe her more than they can ever repay for efforts.

.

Article as it appeared in the Jefferson County Journal
Wednesday, July 1, 1925
Page 9
from www.fultonhistory.com

Note: Some entries on this site may not directly relate to Belleville but are connected in some way to an individual
that was born in Belleville or lived in Belleville as part of the local community.

This page designed and maintained by Leona MacDonald