[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 124 (Wednesday, September 11, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S10346]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   TRIBUTE TO THE TOWN OF HOLLIS, NH, ON THE OCCASION OF THEIR 250TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

 Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
people of Hollis, NH, on their town's 250th anniversary. Since April, 
the residents of Hollis have been celebrating their town's anniversary 
with numerous festivities including the strawberry festival, a museum 
opening, a civic profile, a firemen's muster, an apple festival, a 
marathon road race and many other enjoyable events. The town's 
celebration on September 14th will mark their official 250th 
anniversary and is certain to bring the whole town together for this 
historic event.
  The history of Hollis dates back to the year 1746 when the area of 
West Dunstable was divided into four different parts--Dunstable, 
Monson, Merrimack, and Hollis. Later on April 3, 1746, then-Governor 
Benning Wentworth signed the town's first charter officially naming the 
town Holles. It was on this date that the people from a loose 
settlement of families gathered under one wing of a church in the 
Hollis area to join together to unite their town.
  Originally, Hollis was granted the name of Holles after Governor 
Wentworth's friend, the Duke of Newcastle. Eventually, the town 
residents changed the spelling of Holles to Hollis in honor of an 
English merchant they admired for his high level of intellect and his 
generosity to Harvard College. Many descendants of the town's first 
settlers still live in Hollis today. Before the signing of the charter, 
there were 75 families that resided in the geographical location of 
Hollis. When the charter was signed, 20 families were forced to reside 
in the Dunstable area. These 20 families fought for 30 years to be 
reunited with their fellow neighbors and their home, Hollis. To this 
day, the residents of Hollis use this example as an illustration of 
their town's commitment of unity.
  The passage of 250 years of history has changed the way of life for 
the people of Hollis. Some of the minor changes include the tithing men 
and fence viewers who have disappeared from election ballots and the 
decay of the whipping post in the town common. Nevertheless, these few 
minor changes have not changed the bond the families feel for Hollis, 
nor the civic responsibilities they have held in the town since 1746. 
Joan Tinklepaugh, who wrote a history for the town, states it best when 
she says, ``we are all joined together by the stitches of the quilt of 
humanity that makes up the town called Hollis.''
  I congratulate the many residents of Hollis on this festive occasion, 
and for their sense of unity and dedication. Enjoy the celebration and 
may the years to come be as prosperous as your last 250 years. Happy 
birthday Hollis.

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