TURNER — Ben Conant, well-known storyteller, historian and genealogist, will entertain and inform the Turner Museum and Historical Association and guests Sunday, May 21, beginning at 2 p.m. at the Leavitt Institute building, Turner Center Road. The public is invited to attend the program; refreshments will follow the program.
In observance of Memorial Day, Conant will offer an afternoon of stories remembering Turner men who served in the wars of 1775, 1812 and the Civil War. Many young men left homes and families to serve their country. Turner has a long, recorded history of sending its sons to war.
Some interesting names and facts:
* Major William Turner, younger brother of the Rev. Charles Turner, for whom the town is named, left the army in 1777, returning to Turner after years of service on the staff of Gen. George Washington.
* During the War of 1812, Turner residents Allen, Keene, Merrill and Staples served on the Canadian Frontier. Benjamin Jones of Turner, a soldier of the American Revolution, sent his nine sons to this war.
* Many young men (17 and younger) from Turner fought during the Civil War. Major Arch D. Leavitt gave his life, and James Solon Chase, son of Solon Chase, came home from service blinded for life.
Although the Turner Museum has many town records of its citizens who served in the various wars, if anyone has letters, pictures or other memorabilia from family members, who were Turner veterans, they would like to share or donate, please bring them to the Memorial Day program or visit the museum on the fourth floor of the Leavitt Institute Building Tuesday or Thursday afternoons.
