A Special Thank You

Cecile Pimental, Board member and Newburyport Public Library librarian, organized a beginner’s workshop for the library’s archival center in September. 

The workshops were planned for three separate dates giving the participants time in between to do some of their research.  Eleven people attended the first night's workshop and all eleven left happy.

Volunteering their time for the workshops were Sue Gagnon, Bob Richard, and Barb Rogers, all members of Sons & Daughters. The library has allowed Sons & Daughters, on several occasions, to hold our own workshop for prospective members. 

This was our way of saying thank you to the Newburyport Public Library.

Annual Meeting 2011 Recap

The 84th Annual Meeting of the Sons & Daughters of the First Settlers of Newbury, MA was held again this year at the Performing Arts Center at the Governor’s Academy, Byfield.  The day started with registration and a continental breakfast. 

 

Over 60 people attended and thoroughly enjoyed the day’s events. President Barb Rogers welcomed the audience before the first speaker Jeremy D’Entremont started his slide presentation and lecture.  Jeremy’s talk this day was based on the lighthouses of Cape Ann and Newburyport.  He started with the Twin Lights of Rockport and ended with the lighthouse on Plum Island.  A large contingent of Lowell descendants was particularly interested in the history of the Plum Island Lighthouse.  President George Washington appointed Abner Lowell keeper, and several generations of the Lowell family served as keepers.  His slide presentation was a mix of new pictures and old.  Two pictures were of Benjamin Ellsworth, lighthouse keeper for over 40 years of the Ipswich lighthouse before it was moved to Edgartown. 

 

Bill Hallett, past Board member of Sons & Daughters, presented his lecture, Newburyport’s Civil War History.  Bill’s lecture started with Albert W. Bartlett and led into “a cold, rainy, sleety day on April 16, 1861 when the Cushing Guards, also known as Co A of the 8th Massachusetts Regiment departed.” His talk ended with the forming of the GAR post, the“Albert W. Bartlett Post #49.”

 

The 84th Annual Meeting commenced with the reading of deceased members names and a moment of silence. Recording Secretary Ramona Barr gave a brief report highlighting the activities of the Board for the previous year.  Wilma Buckley spoke about her decision to step down as Treasurer and take on the position of Assistant Treasurer.  She said she had enjoyed her term, but felt it was time to step down.  New member Brandon Rowley, joining ancestor Edmund Greenleaf, was voted in.  A supplemental application, Edmund Knight, for Barbara Rogers was also voted on.  The proposed budget for the upcoming year was voted on and passed as presented. A brief discussion was held on the proposed expenses for postage and a discussion on the “E” Descend-O-Gram followed.

 

A brief report on the Jackman-Willett House was given.  The house was empty a couple of months this year due to the tenant moving out and a new one moving in.  A list of a few of the repairs done to the house this past year was read.  The major project planned for this fall is the replacing of clapboards on the east end of the house and the painting of the east end and the back. 

 

President Rogers read the report of the Nomination Committee chaired by Cecile Pimental. It was voted on and passed as presented.  The following were voted in for a two year term, Barbara Rogers, President, Stephanie Cobb, Treasurer, Wilma Buckley, Assistant Treasurer, Gilbert Emery Sr. and Bern Rogers directors.  The Board is short one member and President Rogers asked anyone who is interested to let someone on the Board know.

 

President Rogers thanked Lisen Noyes, who was not present, for her time spent on the Board.  All Board members were recognized by Barbara for their time and efforts to make this a terrific year.

 

Member Sue Follansbee was also recognized for her never ending computer work on the Society files.

 

A special thanks was given to Ramona Barr and Janis Michel for their planning of this wonderful annual meeting.

 

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 12:30pm.

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The Sons & Daughters of the First Settlers of Newbury, Mass.

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