This story, from the Weston A. Goodspeed “Historical and Biographical report of Brown County, Indiana” is an account of the first Brown County Old Settlers Reunion.

In pursuance of a notice for the Old Settlers of Brown County to meet at Georgetown and make arrangements for a reunion, the following persons assembled Aug. 28, 1877: D.B. Adams, Calvin Moser, A.S. Anderson, William Marcum, Lawson Hopper, Alfred Williams, David Crouch, John McDonald, Thomas Waltman, Sen., George Hanes, Milton Fleener and Howard Arwine.

On motion D. B. Adams was made chairman and W.M. Waltman secretary. It was then decided to hold the first reunion at Georgetown on Sept. 22, 1877, and invite Judge Hester, Alfred Williams and William Mason to address the multitudes. Gov. J.D. Williams and Hon. D.W. Voorhees also received an invitation to be present. William M. Waltman was selected to deliver the address of welcome to the old settlers.

On motion a committee of three from each township was appointed to record the names of all persons living therein who had been in the county 30 years or more and to bring the list to the first reunion to be read and recorded. These committees were as follows:

•Hamblen Township: W.G. Watson, W.P. Taggart and Joshua Metheney.

•Jackson Township: A.S. Anderson, Milton Fleener and William M. Waltman.

•Washington Township: David Crouch, Alfred Williams and Lewis Rogers.

•Van Buren Township: J.A. McKinney, John Noblet and J.T. Ping.

•Johnson Township: James Sexton, Wart Elkins and Thomas Madgett.

Various committees and officers were appointed to introduce everything to make the occasion enjoyable.

A beautiful cane was promised the man who had lived in the county longest and was over 60 years of age; a hickory rocking chair was promised to the lady longest in the county and over 50 years of age.

All were asked to bring old and interesting relics.

On the 22nd of September 1877, an enormous crowd gathered at Georgetown, coming from all points of the compass. The exercises were opened with music by the Nashville Cornet Band and prayer by the Rev. Benjamin Woods. Mr. Waltman, in an appropriate manner, made the welcoming address.

The cane was awarded to Edward David, who was 92 years old and had lived in the county 64 years, and the chair to Margaret Graham, who was 80 years old and had lived in the county 63 years. The old gentleman, as if but 40 years old instead of 92, exhibited his activity and appreciation of the gift after the fashion of ye olden time by dancing a jig to the tumultuous applause of the large crowd.

A fine dinner was enjoyed and the day was passed in narrating incidents of pioneer times, which by all means ought to have been recorded. Old-fashioned speeches, full of rude eloquences and strength, were delivered by many old settlers present.

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What: 2016 Old Settlers Reunion

When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24

Where: Pioneer Village, History Center, one-room schoolhouse and East Gould Street

Who: Everyone welcome

To do: Pioneer-era activities and food. Bring chairs or blankets to sit on.

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