he became the owner of it and, when the time seemed to favor the offering of its hospitality to Towers far and near, the Old Home, improved, though unchanged in essential features, was prepared for their reception, and those who were present at the Reunion know how kindly was the welcome.

They these members of our numerous family—had been coming in ever increasing numbers during the past two or three years, and at the Ter-Centenary a registration book was provided, which now contains nearly five hundred names of John Tower's descendants and of husbands and wives of descendants, who, by provision in the by-laws and charter of the Society, are eligible to membership in it. Of these seventy-five are residents of the beautiful towns of Hingham and Cohasset which, for many years after the death of John Tower, formed one town in whose early history he took a prominent part. Many names enrolled, however, represented distant sections of the country, and this coming together of hundreds of Towers from the north and the south, the east and the west, this meeting and forming of new acquaintances and friendships-all within the membership of one family-were to those who took part in this celebration and who witnessed the scenes, continued throughout the entire three days, most inspiriting.

On the left, as you came with the crowd from the station, and at the end of the long rows of elms which flank the winding Main Street of the town, just below the "Tower brook" and "Tower bridge", stands the "Old Homestead", on this occasion beautifully decorated with flags and bunting for the reception of the visiting Towers. From the clear, cool depths of the John Tower well the "Old Oaken Bucket" brought water for the refreshment of those who were thirsty and tired with travelling, while those who were also hungry found that in Wilder Memorial Hall a special restaurant had been opened for them with excellent facilities for serving every one.

Within the house, and nearly covering the four walls of one room, were prints of the five branches of the family tree, which had been prepared by Mr. James Wallace Tower of Millinocket, Maine.. Many of those who were present found pleasure in tracing their ancestry along the numerous smaller branches of the tree, finding that in some cases these represented a growth

ERGENEALOGICAL SOCIETY

OLD TOWER HOMESTEAD
HINGHAM, MASS

of twelve generations. It is expected that these branches of the John Tower tree will be brought to greater perfection, so that the names may include the present generation, and the effort will be made to reproduce them on sheets of a size suitable for ready handling and for sale to members of the Society at a nominal price.

Among the interesting exhibits in the home was a portrait of Malachi Tower of the sixth generation. He was one of the

many members of the family who took part in the war of the Revolution, and the earliest member of whom, so far as can be ascertained, a likeness exists. His Bible, in which he had carefully written his family record, was also here. His descendants are the present owners and occupants of the original John Tower Homestead.

Near the homestead booths had been set up for the sale of souvenirs, postal cards, magazines and newspapers-but there were few spare moments for reading or for writing. In accordance with the program mentioned in the "Call" provision had been made for sight-seeing, but the old home and the groups of new-found friends and relatives which dotted its ample lawn usually proved more attractive than visits to near-by places of historic interest. Photographers with their cameras were all about, and here and at other places in the town where the family were present, group pictures were taken. That nothing should mar the memory of the occasion, even the weather, which on the first day made futile efforts to dampen enthusiasm, turned submissive, and for the remaining time was all that could be desired.

That all who were at the reunion may preserve in print the graceful welcome tendered the family at the Wampatuck Club by Ex-Governor John D. Long, the address of Rev. Charles H. Pope at the old Homestead, and that of Mr. John J. Loud in Wilder Memorial Hall, at the first general meeting of this Society, we must now make our story of the reunion a bare record of events in their due order. Those who were not here will fill in many a gap with pleasant recollections of things said and done. It is with regret that some of the addresses, to which we all listened with much interest, must be omitted, but to those who by them so liberally contributed to our pleasure and instruction, as well as to all others who assisted and helped to make the reunion, as we believe, a grand success, the thanks of the Society are gratefully offered.

First Day, May 29

were

It had been foreseen by Mr. George Warren Tower, the host, and by others through whose efforts the Reunion had been effected, that on this first day the continual arrival of visitors and the work of registering and of securing accommodations for them would make a long program undesirable. That which had been announced in the "Last Call" was adhered to, and while guests were yet arriving those who were present boarded cars for the Wampatuck Club where they greeted by brief addresses from Hon. John D. Long, Selectman William L. Foster and Rev. Louis C. Cornish, which were enjoyed by the many members of the family who had arrived in time for the welcome. Under the leadership of Rev. Mr. Cornish and of guides who had been provided for the occasion, the family, now broken into small groups, visited the Old Tavern, the Gen. Lincoln House, and other places of interest with which the old town is richly provided.

In the evening, in a large tent well filled with settees, on the lawn beneath the wide-spreading elms which adorn the Old Homestead, the assembled members of the family listened to an address by Rev. Charles H. Pope. His costume, fashioned in the style of our early American forefather, suited well the words of that time, here reproduced, with which he spoke.

Address of Welcome to the Tower Family

by Ex-Governor Long

Saturday, May 29, 1909

I am happy to discharge the duty which has been assigned me of extending the welcome of the citizens of Hingham to the descendants of John Tower, who settled in this town in 1637. From him have descended a body of men and women who have honored the name, who have carried it into every part of the country, many of whom are gathered here to-day to visit the home of their ancestor. His house still stands, and you have made it your headquarters. You have also made it beautiful with decorations, although, in one sense, nothing could add to the beauty of its original simplicity.

Your name is one that has been illustrious in many walks of life, in the military and naval service of the country, in its educational fields, and especially in the lines of commercial and financial activity. The name is still on our town voting lists, and one who bears it has long been among us a preserver of the peace.

We cordially welcome you to your ancestral home. It will remind you of the virtues of your ancestors, of their simple lives, of the good example which they left us of religious devotion, of civic patriotism, of social helpfulness, and of personal integrity. May the sun continue to shine on your commemoration services. May the three days of them be bright with the bonds of family reunion, and when you go hence, may you be inspired with happier thoughts of the past and brighter hopes for the future.