August 21-22 are the dates that President Ruth Knight and Executive Secretary, Percy R. Cluff have selected for the Fifteenth Annual Meeting. The headquarters will be The Tavern at Laconia, N. H. This location has been chosen, because in this vicinity are two Clough neighborhoods that the Society has not explored, although both were the homes of some of our most prominent charter members.
On Saturday everyone is asked to drive to Canterbury, N. H., a town about 20 miles south of Laconia, a mile off Route 38 at sign, Canterbury. From the south the route 38 branches off route 3, the Daniel Webster Highway at Con-cord, N. H., at the traffic circle, crosses the Merrimack River to East Concord and continues about 12 miles to a sign, Canterbury, where a right hand turn brings one in about a mile to Canterbury Center. Arrive there between one and two o’clock in front of the church. You will find a number of people assembled, since this is the annual Old Home Day and the Cloughs will be welcome visitors we are assured by Mr. Norman Brown, selectman of Canterbury.
Around the green in this small village are the Congregational church, the library, a cemetery where many Cloughs are sleeping beneath the green myrtle vines and the old maples. Close by is the Town House that Cloughs helped to erect about 1750. There will be held the events of Old Home Day. You will be able to purchase sandwiches and other refreshments from the women who are accustomed to provide such picnic snacks at every occasion.
We are going, FIRST, to Canterbury to explore the Clough landmarks in this town. As early as 1736, Jeremiah Clough settled in the township and his son, Jeremiah, Jr. was the first white child born there. Turn to page 111 of the Clough Genealogy to read how Jeremiah was imprisoned in Salem jail for nonpayment of taxes to Massachusetts and decided to seek a new home. Then his brother, Thomas, joined him and built his home in 1741 which is still standing and which we plan to visit. These brothers became prominent citizens, Indian fighters and helped to build the Town House.
Another branch of the Clough Family settled in Canterbury about the time of the Revolution. Nehemiah, son of Joseph-4 who went to Salem, Mass. (See page 143 of the Genealogy) married Sally, daughter of Thomas mentioned above and they lived south of the Center. Dr. Elsa Peverly Kimball is a descendent of Nehemiah and we trust that she will be our guide to her ancestral acres on August 21.
We plan to visit the small stone-walled burial place of Jeremiah, Jr. who was so loyal a patriot that the citizens of Canterbury marked his resting place with a granite monument. Then we shall be received by Cousin Florence at Cousin Joseph’s old “Mansion House”, the home of Thomas mentioned above. A picture of his house is found on page 279 of the Genealogy, also in the Story of the Family of John Clough, page 112. The house was a tavern and the attic is worth a trio to Canter-bury to see its timbers, as well as the two lower stories with their old furniture. It may be possible to visit the Jeremiah Clough Homestead near Clough Pond, now owned by summer residents.
Then we shall drive about 15 miles to the Tavern in Laconia. This is a modern hotel at Depot Square, near the railroad station where we shall enjoy a roast beef dinner at 6:30 and entertaining program arranged by President Ruth who became famous last year for her wise planning.
On Sunday morning, many will wish to drive to the shore of Lake Winnipesaukee a mile from the Tavern, possibly take a short sail on the lake in a small motor boat. The Board will hold a short business meeting.
Then the day is to belong to Cousin Clarence who will fly East to conduct us to his birthplace in Gilmanton. His ancestor Simon-4, son of Aaron of Salisbury, built his home above Crystal Lake about 1775 and later other homes were erected on Clough Hill. Luncheon will be served in Gilmanton and we plan to end the session at the old Smith Meeting house where Cloughs worshipped and many are buried in the nearby cemetery.
For rates at The Tavern at Laconia, -rooms with twin beds and bath are $8.00 for two occupants; rooms with double bed and bath are $7.00. Make your reservations early directly with The Laconia Tavern, Laconia, N. H. The price for the dinner is $2.25. Scores of cabins surround Laconia and information for these may be obtained from Mrs. Guy E. Speare, Plymouth, N. H., if you wish to write to her. We are meeting in the midst of the lake region of New Hampshire. You may desire to remain over the week end, take the boat trip on the steamer Mount Washington around Lake Winnipesaukee, visit the famous ski resort at nearby Gilford and ride to the top of the hill for a view of the mountains to the north and the lakes to the south. A reunion of especial family interest is promised for our fifteenth celebration