ISLAND GROVE 



the people of Abington have increased its 

 fame by gathering beneath its shade for the 

 celebration of all anniversaries commemor- 

 ating the founding of their town, as well as 

 for other noted events. 



In 1862 a celebration in commemoration 

 of the incorporation of the town was attended 

 by the Governor and members of the State 

 departments, and by some of the veterans 

 of the war of 181 2. The opening words of 

 Governor Andrew's speech are worthy of 

 quotation here: 



"Well have the men and women of Massa- 

 chusetts met and performed the solemn task 

 of dreadful war. More than forty thousand 

 of her sons — bravest and best — have been 

 poured from her teeming lap. Fighting to- 

 day they stand, wherever floats our coun- 

 try's starry banner, on land or sea." 



This event was followed, in 1865, by a 

 reception to the returned soldiers and sailors 

 from Abington and "the day was ushered 

 in and closed by the ringing of bells and 

 the firing of cannon." ^ 



1 From the Selectmen's Annual Report 1865. 



1:373 



