Penobscot ceremonies to honor Revolution survivor

PENOBSCOT – The United States Postal Service will offer a special commemorative cancellation in honor of an event paying tribute to William Hutchings, the last Revolutionary War survivor in New England.

William Hutchings Day, on Saturday, June 18, is sponsored by the Maine State Organization of the National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution and its Ramassoc Chapter.

The event will include the special cancellation, a ceremony at 10:30 a.m. installing historical markers at Hutchings’ grave in the cemetery that bears his name on Route 199, a craft fair at the Penobscot Elementary School, live music, a chicken barbecue at the fire station, and an old fashioned box lunch at the Penobscot Historical Society.

The special cancellation, which will be held at the Penobscot Historical Society, will feature an ink drawing of Hutchings along with the date, town and the words, “William Hutchings Day Station.”

The special cancellation will be offered noon-3 p.m. Saturday, June 18, at the Penobscot Historical Society, Route 199, by the Penobscot Elementary School and Penobscot Fire Station.

Penobscot postmaster Clair Manyak will be in charge of the event, and Elizabeth Ashe Howe will be chairwoman.

The special cancellation will be available by mail through the Penobscot Post Office until July 17. Requests by mail should include a self-addressed, stamped envelope inside a larger stamped envelope sent to William Hutchings Day Station, c/o Postmaster, P.O. Box 9998, Penobscot, ME 04476-9998.

For information, call Leanne Payeur, United States Postal Service communications specialist, at 828-8501; Penobscot postmaster Claire Manyak at 326-8256 or Elizabeth Ashe Howe at 326-4121.