Bible Records of Aroostook Co, Somerset Co, & Franklin Co, Maine Families Contributed by Androscoggin Historical Society http://www.rootsweb.com/~meandrhs and Mrs. Mary Hewey Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm Undated newspaper clipping: "The Vacant Chair" Song How the Song, Popular in Civil War Times, Happened to Be Written Martha Goddard Seymour, Route 2, Highland, Calif., sends this interesting account of how the well- known song entitled "The Vacant Chair" happened to be written, to the memory of Lieut. John William Grout, by Henry S. Washburn: We shall meet, but we shall miss him, There will be one vacant chair; We shall linger to caress him While we breathe our evening prayer, When a year ago we gathered Joy was in his mild blue eye, But a golden chord is severed And our hopes in ruins lie. At our fireside, sad and lonely, Often will the bosom swell At remembrance of the story How our noble Willie fell; How he strove to bear our banner Thru the thickest of the right, And upheld our country's honor With the strength of manhood's might. True, they tell us wreaths of glory Evermore shall deck his brow, But this soothes the anguish only Sweeping o'er our heartstrings now. Sleep today, 0! early fallen, In thy green and narrow bed; Dirges from the pine and cypress Mingle with the tears we shed. We shall meet, but we shall miss him, There will be one vacant chair; We shall linger to caress him While we breathe our evening prayer. Grout's Adventure Lieut Grout (Little Willie) was a member of Co. D, 15th Mass. That regiment was recruited in Worcester County, Mass., and Co. D from the city of Worcester. Willie Grout, as he was familiarly known, was only 17 years of age at the time of his enlistment. He had attended a military school, and, being proficient in the art of drilling, at once received his commission as Lieutenant and began to whip the company into shape for active service. The regiment left Worcester in July, 1861, just after the Battle of Bull Run, going immediately to the vicinity of Washington, where they went into camp at Poolesville, Md., a short distance from Balls Bluff, on the Potomac River. On the night of Oct. 19 Quartermaster Howe was sent out to reconnoiter the rebel position across the river in Virginia. Upon his return he reported that he had been shot at by rebel pickets along the river, and as a consequence several regiments were sent over into Virginia to definitely locate the enemy. These forces were under Col. Baker, and the brigade was commanded by Gen. Stone. At the river a barge was taken from the canal and used as a ferry boat to take Col. Baker's men across. Several regiments, including the 15th Mass., had so crossed, when they were attacked the following afternoon, and, having the river at their back, were in a very dangerous situation. The little force was attacked overwhelmingly and routed, Col. Baker being among those killed. His Dying Message In attempting to recross the river in the old canal boat it sprang a leak and sank with a load of soldiers. They had to swim ashore. That left many of Col. Baker's forces across the river in Virginia, where they were cut down unmercifully. Many attempted to recross the river by swimming, but the rebels lining the bluffs shot them down in the water. Lieut. Grout was one of those who started to swim across that night. The moon was shining and young Grout waited for a cloud to obscure it so he could start across, but he had no sooner plunged in the water when the moon shone and he was fired upon. He received his ounce of rebel lead. He shouted to those near him: "Tell Co. D that I would have reached shore, but I am shot and I must sink." His body was recovered about three weeks later and sent home, where it was given a soldier's burial. Col. Devans, of the 15th Mass., when informed of his fate, said: "Poor little fellow. The last time he spoke to me he said: "Colonel, the rebels are upon us. Is there anything more I can do for you?" "Nothing," replied Col. Devans; "take care of yourselves." Mrs. Seymour's cousin, who was well acquainted with little Willie, wrote to her that a short time before Willie was ordered to the front that he was home on furlough. He went to Willie's home and stayed there all night. The next morning he took a peep into Willie's room and found that instead of sleeping on the soft bed he was curled up on the floor, using his rubber blanket for a pillow. Testament and Psalms American Bible Society 1900 E.F. Crowell Farmington, Me. Feb. 20, 1902 (written on flyleaf) No personal information Contains many poems, inspirational messages, etc. Between the pages: Card: front: Inside card: Written For The Evergreen Club In Memory of Mrs. Etta K. Lowell Who Died On the Twenty-First Of March 1909 There's sorrow in our hearts to-day, For Death's relentless hand Has taken from the earth away Another of our band. That pleasant face we loved to meet, Is now a memory dear; That voice, like music, clear and sweet No longer do we hear. The cherished wife and mother dear, The daughter loved so well, The sister kind, the friend so near, Has bid us now, farewell. We saw her in the summer hours, Upon a bed of pain, And hoped with autumn's cooling showers Her strength she might regain. In vain our hopes and all besides, To stay the fatal blow That took the loved one from our side, And caused our tears to flow. The home of which she was the light, Will miss her loving care, And we shall miss the presence bright, Of one whose gifts were rare. The dear home by the river side, The summer-time retreat, Whose doors, for us, were opened wide In welcome true and sweet, Will lose, for us, its former charm Now she was gone away, A shadow rests upon the farm, Where once our hearts were gay. But tender memories still will cling Around that hallowed spot. The birds she loved stiff sweetly sing Though she will hear them not. But while we miss her from our band, And sigh for her in vain, We know she's in a better land And free from care and pain. The music that now greets her ear Is sweeter far I know, Than any that we mortals bear Upon the earth below. Then let us hope this cheering thought Will comfort every one, And may we all, whate'er our lot Still say "thy will be done." L. H. Young Richmond, Maine, March 30,1909 23 Sept. 1990 Lawn sale $.05 Cushman Road, Winslow to Vassalboro - last house on right before sign "Wentworth" Black King James Version Holy Bible printed by World Publishing Co. 4" x 8" The Holy Bible - World Publishing Company - undated PRESENTED TO OLIVER COLE 'BY LILLIAN BREWSTER DEC.25,1946 THIS CERTIFIES That OLIVER J. COVE AND EVA KELLEY WERE UNITED IN HOLY MATRIMONY ON THE 24 DAY OF OCT. IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 1931 AT MILO MAINE BY REV. MINER WITNESS: ETTA McCOULLOUGH WITNESS: SAM .................. ALLEN L. KELLEY (written in pen: Feb. 14, 1946) Funeral services for Allen Lee Kelley, 54, who passed away very suddenly at his home on Cook St., were held Sunday at the Methodist Church at 3:15 P.M. by the pastor, Rev. Herman Grant. The profusion of flowers which decorated the complete front of the church and the capacity of the church audience was a proof of the esteem and love he held. He was a member of the Methodist church, the Men's Club of the church and the Abnaki Club who attended in groups. He was also a member of the American Legion. He was employed by the Putnam Brothers for the past twenty-two years and was a familiar and personal friend of all he served. Mr. Kelley will be greatly missed not only in his home town but by all towns in Aroostook County. Survivors, besides his wife, Evelyn Munson Kelley, are three children: Allen, Jr. Lt. in Air Corps on Okinawa, Darrol S 1-c U S Navy in Louisville, Kentucky and Dorothy at home; his father and mother, Sylvester and Ellen Lovely Kelly of Caribou; four sisters, Mrs. John O'Leary of Portland, Mrs. Uben Chapman of South Sudsbury, Massachusetts, Mrs. Oliver Cote and Mrs. Mary Brewster of Presque Isle; a brother, Elmer of Portland, and several nephews and nieces. His son Darrol of the U S Navy and Mrs. Allen Kelley Jr. of Hiawatha, Kansas were here to attend the services. Miss Myrle Elwell sang "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere" accompanied by Miss Katherine Cook at the organ. Bearers were Stanley English, Claude Hemphill, Charles Mooers, Harley Kierstead, Francis Haskell and Emery Skillins. Interment in Fairmount Cemetery in Spring. Elmer Kelley Victim of Heart Seizure (written in pen: July 2 June 29 1952) Elmer G. Kelley, 67, died unexpectedly Sunday of heart seizure at his home in Armenia. A painter and gardener, Mr. Kelley was employed by Douglas Green, painting contractor. Mr. Kelley was born in Caribou, Me., December 17, 1884, the son of the late Sylvester and Ellen Brown Kelley. He was educated in schools in Maine, later residing in Amenia. He returned to Amenia three years ago from Bridgeton, Me., to make his home. Mr. Kelley married Miss Eva Pryor in New Brunswick, Canada, February 15, 1930. Surviving are his wife and four sisters, Mrs. Mary Brewster, Presque Isle, Me., Mrs. Eva Cote, Wassaic, Mrs. Mabel O'Lary, Bangor, Me., and Mrs. Maria Chaplain, Fairfield, Me. Funeral services were conducted at the Brown Funeral Home at 2 o'clock Wednesday, the Rev. Robert F. Waller, minister of the Pleasant Valley and Bangall Methodist Churches, officiating. Burial was in the Amenia Island Cemetery. BIRTHS Oliver J. Cote 6-28-1902 Eva Kelley Cote 7-12-1899 Maxine Lois Mushero 2-1-1916 Malcolm Raymond Mushero 12-23-1914 DEATHS Allen Kelley 2-14-1946 Ellen Kelley Lovely 8-17-1941 Sylvester Kelley 12-24-1946 Elmar G.Kelley 6-29-1952 Mary E. Brewster 1-13-1961