I have given scarce more than a sketch in outline of what the history of Woodstock has been during the two hundred years since that historic band of brave boys and sturdy men, of deft-handed girls and sober matrons, swarmed like bees from the Roxbury hive[104] and settled on the Wabbaquasset hills. What Woodstock's history shall be remains for you, men and women of Woodstock, to develop. The fathers have kept bright the honest traditions and stout independence, the industrious thrift and religious faith which their Puritan fathers brought to the new settlement. The sons of this generation can be trusted to preserve and transmit them to their descendants. You, men of Woodstock, have your duties in the family, on the farm, toward your schools, and to your churches. All that the fathers have done puts an added obligation upon you. The improvement and development of the town depend on the individual exertions of its citizens. If you are young, infuse some of your own enthusiasm and intelligence into its different organizations. If you are old, remember these institutions in a substantial way. Woodstock will be what you make it. Michel Angelo saw in the block the exquisite unsculptured statue. Many blows of the chisel were necessary to disclose the perfect ideal to the eyes of a wondering world. In thought, in plan, in ideal, this town has been almost a perfect organization; but only those whose high vision is willing to pierce through all encrusting imperfections shall be the artists whose toil and sacrifices shall make this dear, noble, historic town of Woodstock an honor to the State and a blessing to its citizens. It is said that old John Eliot, from the high pulpit in Roxbury, used to pray every Sabbath for the new settlers at Woodstock. The words of those prayers are not preserved, but may the spirit of them come down through the centuries to inspire the hearts of all who inherit the blood of the early settlers of this ancient town. God, our fathers' God, bless old Woodstock! FOOTNOTES: [1] Also spelt Roxberry, Roxborough, Rocksborough. [2] July 30, 1630. [3] Young's "Chronicles of Massachusetts," p. 396. [4] Winthrop's "Journal," by Savage, vol. i., p. 111. [5] "Ordained over the First Church, Nov. 5, 1632."--Eliot's tomb in Roxbury. [6] "Memorial History of Boston," vol. i., p. 403. [7] Though the Williamses did not settle permanently in Woodstock till some years after the first settlement, the family was most prominent in Roxbury, and one of its representatives visited the grant officially in 1686. [8] Drake's "Town of Roxbury" and "Memorial History of Boston," vol. i., pp. 401-422. [9] De Forest's "Indians of Connecticut," and Palfrey's "History of New England," and Miss Ellen D. Larned's "History of Windham County." [10] Also "called the Wabbaquassett and Whetstone country; and sometimes the Mohegan conquered country, as Uncas had conquered and added it to his sachemdom." Trumbull's "History of Connecticut," vol. i., 31.