The second annual Reunion of the descendents of William C. Coe was held at the Coe Homestead in Durham, Ct. on Thursday August 26, 1897. Immediately following dinner (at which the ladies excelled themselves) the annual business meeting was held.
The report of the secretary was read and accepted.
The Historian, William T. Coe, then gave an excellent genealogy of the Coe family.
Remarks were made by Mrs. Strickland of New Haven, Charles Camp of Middletown, Mr. And Mrs. Charles Shepard of New Haven, Mrs Emerel-Vail of New Haven, E.D. Coe of Worcester, Mass., Prof. F. W. Doane, W. F. Coe, Mrs. H. Page of Durham, and Henry W. Coe of East Haven.
The Poetess, Mrs F. W. Doane read this Poem:
The following officers were elected:
President: W. T. Coe, Durham Center, Ct.
Vice President: W. L. Davis, Durham, Ct.
Secretary: F. W. Doane, of Higganum, Ct.
Executive Committee:
E. D. Coe of Worcester, Mass.
E. E. Bruke
H. I. Page
B. F. Page
C. W. Coe
J. H. Stevens
J. R. Smith
W. L. Davis
F. H. Page of Durham
Literary Committee:
Mrs. W. L. Davis
Mrs. E. E. Bruke
F. H. Page of Durham
Historian: H. T. Coe then gave a very pleasing address.
The Poetess, Mrs. F. W. Doane, then read the reunion poem.
Poem
You may sing if you will of the far away North
Of the home of the birch and the pine.
You may measure the lay of the South and the West,
Of the land of the orange and vine;
Of the Klondike’s fair treasure, far up in Yukon,
Where fools are accustomed to roam
Where the salt junk and hard task and meager at that
But with a kind and loving heart
May work appointed have I done,
Although my muse lacks power and art
And has no crowning laurels won.
But e’er we part accept some closing line
Which rhyme and music may combine
And makes life’s echoes ring again
To the loving tune of “Auld Lang Syne”
Sung to the Tune, Auld Lang Syne
O may we meet again in joy,
As we have met to-day
And thoughts as glad our minds employ
As pass the hours away.
Yes many times may we unite
These pleasures to renew
And mem’rys of the past-recite.
So precious and so true.
May blessings rest-upon us all
Through all the coming years
Nor shadows dark upon us fall
Or blighting griefs or fears,
And may we have the strength to bear
What comes to every one
Some measure of life’s pain and care
Till all life’s course is run
And when at last, we pass away
And mortal days are o’er
O may we know a happier day
Beyond this earthly shore.
And may we meet again in joy
Which ne’er shall pass away
A perfect bliss without alloy,
On Heavens eternal day.