Reminiscences of Early Settlers
About the commencement of the present century, three brothers bearing the name of Arnold, (direct descendants of one of the four brothers who landed at Plymouth Rock about 1620, coming over in the second vessel that brought colonists from England.) settled in what was then called the town of Plattsburgh, but now belonging to the town of Peru.
In a log house which stood on the farm now owned by Mr. Henry Arnold, destitute of chimney and floor, in the year 1801, a child was born; his parents gave him the name Stukely, and he has borne it with honor to his parentage as well as himself nearly four score years. Fifty years ago, on the 19th day of February 1829, he was united in marriage with Miss Louvisa Lobdell, of Schuyler Falls. The marriage ceremony was performed in the house where Albert Lobdell now resides. Changes have taken place in the repairs made upon the old dwelling, but yet it is monumental, because it marks the place where two lives mutually joined, and have since mingled in life's joys and sorrows as one.
Great changes have taken place in the light of these fifty years. The grand old primal forests, through whose solitudes the early settlers travels by bridal paths, have disappeared; cultivated fields and orchards have taken their place; the rude log houses have been exchanged for beautiful homes.
Mr. and Mrs. Arnold celebrated with a golden wedding the anniversary of their marriage, February 14th, 1879. The are still enjoying very good health, although somewhat infirm form the weight of years and the toils of rural life. In their decline they are blessed with a beautiful home, as the merited reward of patient industry and toil. Their union was blessed with one son and three daughter. The son resides in the State of Illinois, and was not present. The youngest daughter is the wife of Mr. J. B. White, of Peru. The other daughters are unmarried, and reside in the home where they were born. Four generations were represented at the golden wedding: Mr. and Mrs. J. B. White, and their daughter, who is the wife of Mr. H. E. Heyworth, of Peru, and their infant daughter; Mr. Henry Arnold is a brother and who was present with his wife and family two sons and one daughter; Mr. O. K. Arnold and wife; Mrs. Norman Lewis, sister of Mrs. Arnold, was present; Mrs. Lobdell, a brother’s widow; Mrs. Johnson, and several other invited guests.
Among the presents was a cane, the gift of Mr. Henry Arnold. This cane was made of live oak from one of the ribs of the “Royal Savage,” Benedict Arnold’s flag ship, after having lain in the water for a hundred years. It was mounted with a gold plate, with the inscription: “From Henry to Stukley, 1829-1879.” A chair made of black walnut, the gift of Mr. J. B. White. A card receiver, in a frame of chased silver work; a pair of vases and other presents were given as token of friendship and love. The occasion was not observed for the display of rich presents, but for the exhibition of friendships, richer and more enduring than silver or gold.
Some incidents of Mr. Arnold’s early life were revived and repeated. Distinctly he remembered the battle of Plattsburgh, being then fourteen years of age. On the night that the British evacuated the place he started from his home, leaving his mother in tears, and alone in the darkness and on foot he made his way to the scene of the battle. He saw soldiers wounded and bleeding; heard the groans of the dying, as they lay among the dead. He carried home a ball fired by the British, which passed through the wall of the Court House, lodging in the sill on the opposite side of the building. He has the ball now in safe keeping.
At the recital of general muster and training day incidents, the eye of the old man would glow with the military spirit and fire of other days.
The religious training of Mr. Arnold was that of the Quakers. His early life was moulded under their teaching, and the influence has been felt in all his life. Both himself and wife and daughters are members of the M. E. Church, and the pastor always meets with a cheerful welcome to this christian home.
Dinner was served, made up of the substantials and luxuries of life, after which and just before the company broke up to the tune of Hebron, the familiar words: “Thus far the Lord hath led me,” &c., were sung, and prayer was offered by Rev. S. D. Elkins, and the company left for their homes. May the light of an unsetting sun shine upon their path and gild the future with the splendors of an eternal day.
Pluribus
--From newspaper clipping
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