GOVERNOR’S BOARD MEETING
President Inez Scott called the Board of Governor’s of the John Clough Genealogical Society to order at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, July 9, 1966, in the Congregational Church at Thompson, Conn.
It was voted that the Recording Secretary’s report be read in full at the afternoon meeting and also the Treasurer’s complete report. Henry Knight the Treasurer, reported to this group that the Society was solvent, and that he had cashed the bonds without losing anything; and that the money was on deposit at present.
Cousin Eva Speare reported the cost for the 200 copies, each containing 296 pages of Vol. II; of the Clough Genealogy, would be $3,000 and presented the Printer’s contract. These are expected to be finished about August 1st.
The Board voted to accept the contract, have it signed and to recommend the same to the members at the afternoon meeting.
Cousin Eva stated that she had orders with checks for $15.00 plus 20 cents for postage for 29 or 30 volumes, and that these would be mailed directly from the Printer as stated in the May Bulletin; but said that the cost proved to be a bit more since she had to have some help in indexing to get the book finished; also there was a need for Jiffy bags in which to mail the books and a heavy-duty stapler to fasten the bags and asked what the charge of the books should be in view of these facts.
It was voted to buy 150 jiffy bags plus a stapler out of current expense money and also voted to recommend that the cost of Vol. II to members should be $16.00 after today and $20.00 plus postage to non-members.
President Inez Scott reported to Henry Knight that she had seventy-five 5c and four 4c stamps on hand, making of total of $4.05 toward the Fall Bulletins.
She asked about the persons to whom she should send the Bulletins other than the paid members. She also mentioned the problem of name changes and addresses.
Between Cousin Eva and Henry this question was answered as to what had been done in the past. Cousin Inez said that there would be a list of the names and addresses left with Cousin Bernice Linley who was to be Cashier for the day. These were to be corrected by those in attendance and zip codes added if possible.
Vivian expressed regret that she did not have a complete report because when she got to Salem, New Hampshire she found that she had only part of her material with her and the rest was at home in Marblehead, but that she would send her complete report to the recording secretary to be placed on file. She said that she had 25 copies of Vol. I on band; also 70 or 80 of the Clough Story. She also has packets of stationary bearing the Clough name with her at $1.00 per packet. Cousin Eva had some boxes of the same stationary for $2.00.
It was voted to adjourn for the luncheon at 12:30 and announced that the afternoon meeting would begin at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of the Church.
Respectfully submitted,
Gertrude C. Garland, Recording Secretary
A Buffet Luncheon was served by the Ladies of the Church to forty-two members and guests, Erskine Lord offered Grace.
AFTERNOON MEETING
At 2:10 p.m. President Inez Scott called the Twenty-seventh annual meeting of the John Clough Society to order in the Chapel of the Congregational Church at Thompson, Connecticut; this being the church that Deacon Jonathon Clough (grandson of John of Salisbury, Mass.) had helped to establish and in which he served as Deacon from 1742 to 1782, giving 40 years of devoted service.
She welcomed all of the members of long-standing, the new members and guests saying that we were honored to come here to Thompson, the home of the Connecticut branch of Cloughs.
Emery Clough, one of the Connecticut cousins, asked the Invocation prayer followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to our Flag; and the customary ritual established by Cousin Walter Clough of Kansas (founder of the Society) of all repeating the 23rd Psalm. Cousin Susan Clough Bausch of New York City led the group in singing one verse of America accompanied by Cousin Helen Fogg of Methuen, Mass. at the organ.
The Recording Secretary, Gertrude Cluff Garland read the report of the previous annual meeting which was accepted and placed on file.
The Treasurer, Henry M. Knight, gave the following report for the year ending June 25, 1966; $2.177.61 on hand in the checking account at the Sanford, Maine Trust Co. The following accounts for the year including the printing of the Genealogy II to date, which totaled $2,500.00. The sale of bonds netted $2,349.67 including interest as of June 29, 1966. The account in the Laconia, New Hampshire Savings Bank has been entirely withdrawn and applied to the costs of the Genealogy II to date, the amount being $1,922.28. When the money begins to come back from the sale of the book, a new Savings account will be started. Received from Vivian Lord and Eva for the sale of books etc. during the year $316.75. Costs of the bulletin 1965-66 were $147..00; $194.50 was received for dues from 63 members. Insurance costs to W. Dana Bartlett and Scribners Insurance Companies for the books on hand and stored at the homes of the Lord’s and the Knight’s was $42.50. Ledger pages for the Treasurer cost $19.50 and $6.00 for supplies to the Treasurer. Supplies and costs to the Editor Eva Speare, was $72.00. This report was accepted and placed on file as read.
Some of the members knew from experience that some banks were paying higher interest rates than the Sanford Trust Co. of 4%. It was voted that the Treasurer shop around and to let him decide where to start the new Savings account when the money begins to come back from the sale of Genealogy II.
Corresponding Secretary, Cousin Clara Bent, did not have anything to report.
The President asked others if they had any correspondence to report on or letters to share and called on Thirza Russell of Milford, New Hampshire who had nothing to report. President Inez then read letters of regrets from the Everetts Strongs, Esther Brackett and Elizabeth Hannon Corliss. Cousin Eva reported that Cousin Rev. Maxwell Clough was studying at Bread Loaf, that he was an outstanding minister whose name appeared in “Who’s Who” and also reported of hearing from another Clough cousin telling of the 65th wedding anniversary of his parents. No deaths were reported. There was a suggestion made that a column be made in the bulletin to announce births, marriages and deaths.
The President gave a resume of the program for the rest of the day; a trip to the West Thompson Cemetery to pay homage to the first member of the family in Connecticut and any other spot known to the Connecticut Cousins, time permitting.
Dinner would be served by the ladies of the Church at 5 p.m. That they would also have souvenir plates of the Church on sale, for anyone who might like to purchase one. After dinner, the usual introductions would be made and Cousin Martha Tibbets of Columbia, Connecticut would show slides of her recent trip. The Sunday worship service would be at 10:30 a.m. to which the Clough Cousins would be welcome.
The report on the Picnic site marker at Clough’s bridge designating the area as the “Clough Picnic Area” to be given by the committee, Sidney Northrup and Randall Sawyer appointed last year to look into the feasibility of this project. Cousin Sidney not being present, Cousin Randall reported that they had a meeting over the telephone and that the owner had no objection to establishing the same but would give nothing in writing. Randall’s personal report was that it was a natural for such a project but that it evidently had been tried as there were some old box pews, real antiques that had no business being there, nailed to the trees and didn’t even set level. The person who lives at the Clough farm there in Fremont, is a summer resident and tried to make it a picnic area but became discouraged as vandals got in and ruined it. It is a fishing spot too. Cousin Eva suggested that we would not want to spend money for something that would just be destroyed by vandals but that we ask the committee to continue, to go to the State Highway Department and see what they could do or what could be done and at what costs then report back next year so that we can hallow the spot with the Clough name. It was so voted unanimously.
Cousin Gertrude Clough, Historian of the Connecticut Clough’s told those present that Jonathan, grandson of the first John, came from Massachusetts and settled in Killingly first; that he was a tanner by trade and that he bought and sold property, so moved about but always had to live near alder trees as the bark was used for tanning. He lived in Thompson, Tolland and died in Belchertown, Massachusetts.
The report on the new Genealogy, Vol. II was given by Cousin Eva, the editor. First, she added a bit about Jonathan and asked his descendants to stand up. She then presented the proofs of the new Volume II showing the pictures that would be in it. They were, the original or first officers of the Society; Cousin Vivian and Erskine Lord who have been so loyal over the years, entertaining so many times, offering their services in other ways than needed; Percy Clough of Kennebunkport, Maine, a railroad man and faithful members always in the background observing where he might assist; S. Dewitt Clough who started at $5.00 per week for Abbott Laboratories in Chicago and becoming a millionaire; Harry Gilman Clough, brother of Bernice Rogers who was a faithful member and worker for the Society whose story is found on page 152; William Rockwell Clough, inventor of the paper clip and the corkscrews, who had also accumulated millions (he was from Alton, New Hampshire). And a picture of Grandma Moses who received the members on her 92nd birthday when the annual meeting was held at Bennington, Vt. She told how that she had planned with the printer saving space here, cutting a bit there, to keep the cost at the $3,000.00 figure. It took her 10 hours a day for three months, but she had enjoyed it and thanked the Society for letting her do it.
President Inez presented Cousin Eva an orchid, on behalf of the Society, in gratitude and Cousin Vivian Lord came forward and said that in 1940 she first came to know her and for twenty-six years has come to know how invaluable a work she has done for the Society and the family; that we cannot repay her but that she would like to present her with a token of our gratitude for the hours of devotion and with our love and best wishes, accompanied with an appropriate card on which was the following poem:
We all had suggestions,
Our ideas were all expressed And we finally decided
That this might suit you best
So we wrapped it and we tied it (Gave us lots of pleasure too)
And with the very best of wishes
We present it now to you.
With all our Love, The members of the John Clough Genealogical Society, Inc. July 9, 1966.
Cousin Eva thanked her and said that she would enjoy the contents of the package later, and recognized the help of others as she did not do it all alone.
Vivian Lord, Ruth Knight for the Maine branch, and Benjamin Clough of Burbank. Calif. She was accorded a standing ovation. She will be 91 years young on October 3, 1966 and the only one who has attended every meeting of the Society.
The Board of Governors recommended that we accept the Printer’s contract for the printing of Vol. II, for $3,000.00. It was unanimously voted to accept the contract as recommended.
They also recommended, that since the purchase price of $15.20 as stated in the bulletin was not adequate to cover the extra expense that after today the flat rate of Vol. II would be $16.00 for members but $20.00 plus postage for non-members. It was voted unanimously to accept this recommendation too.
Our Genealogist, Cousin Vivian Lord, gave the following report; Books sold 16 Genealogies and 12 Story of the Clough Family, and by Goodspeeds-2 Story of the Family and 1 Genealogy; 1 Coat of Arms; 6 boxes of stationary. The sum of $281.69 has been turned over to the Treasurer. There are 24 Genealogies, Vol. I and 90-100 Story of the Family left. Some stationary remains. Eva Speare was recipient of 3 boxes of stationary and 2 Genealogies. One copy of the Family Story has not been paid for and one set of two books evidently has been-lost – in the mail. At the present meeting July 9, 1966, one Genealogy, 5 copies of the Story of the Family and 9 packages of stationary have been sold. Your Genealogist has attended to the duties of her office, helping to answer any inquiries, and sending books where requested. The Scrapbooks have been added to, and any clippings will be gratefully received.
It was voted to accept this report and to place it on file.
Vivian told of receiving a letter from Cousin Erma Tebbens of Kansas in which she told of the experiences of being in the path of a recent tornado there and also that her two sons, Daniel and Robert were sorry not to attend the reunion this year. Vivian also reported that Cousin Edith Frederick of Delaware an attendant in past years was not able to travel.
Cousin Priscilla Clough of Cambridge, Mass., who with Cousins Bernice Linley and Clara Bent comprised the nominating committee; presented the following slate of officers:
President — Mrs. Charles D. Day (Paula) RFD 2, Turbots Creek, Kennebunkport, Maine. 04046.
First Vice President — Mr. Woodman, Clough, 16 Pearl Street, Reading, Mass.
Second Vice President — Mrs. Martha Tibbits, Columbia, Conn.
Third Vice President — Mrs. Dorothy Gulbrandson, Revere, Mass.
Treasurer — Mr. Henry M. Knight, Alfred, Maine, 04002.
Corresponding Secretary — Miss Ruth Wheeler, 201 South Huntington Ave., Boston, Mass.
Recording Secretary — Mrs. Ted Collins (Barbara), 10 Stevens Circle, Andover, Mass. 01810.
Genealogist — Mrs. Erskine D. Lord (Vivian), 9 Pilgrim Road, Marblehead, Mass. 01945.
Board of Governors
Honorary member — Mrs. Guy E. Speare (Eva), 20 High Street, Plymouth, N.H. 03264.
Everett M. Strong, Ithaca, N.Y.
Robert Lewis, Barnet, Vt.
Benjamin P. Clough, Burbank, California.
Verney Cluff, Thatcher, Arizona.
Frederick W. Garland, Pelham, N.H.
Harry E. Clough, Andover, Mass.
It was asked that the Secretary cast one vote for the slate as presented, which she did. The outgoing President, Inez M. Scott, presented the newly elected President Paula Day of Kennebunkport, Maine, the gavel who accepted it with a few words of interest.
A standing vote of thanks was accorded Inez Scott and Henry Knight for carrying on the work involved in the editing of the bulletin, with Cousin Eva’s name to be added, as she was a capable editor for a long time.
As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned and the cousins formed a motor caravan to pay homage to Deacon Jonathan.
Respectfully submitted Gertrude Cluff Garland, Recording Secretary
At the first stop on the tour to West Thompson, Connecticut we followed the Connecticut cousins to the resting place of their ancestor Jonathan Clough and his family. Cousin Emery Clough of Tolland, Connecticut, read this patriarch’s life then offered a prayer, followed by the Lord’s Prayer.
Cousin Martha Tibbits of Columbia, Connecticut and Doris Tobbiasen of Tolland, Connecticut placed a wreath on their ancestor’s grave; which finished the exercises. From there the caravan drove to the East side of Thompson to visit the site of the first known home of Jonathan.
After motoring back to the Congregational Church the Cousin’s visited until the Family dinner was readied by the ladies of the church. Cousin Austin Lewis of Bradford, Mass. offered Grace after which a fine dinner was enjoyed. Many had to leave early to reach their various homes; however, there were 53 present at the dinner.