Last week I wrote about the house at 269 Marion Rd. The two names always associated with the house are Lewis and Hathaway, but in my research for that article, I came across another name. The house was built prior to the Revolution by David Wing, and he sold the house to Theophilus Pease, a shipwright. Pease never lived in the house but rented it to mill workers who worked at the nearby mill. He detached the front porch and moved it across the street to be a home for the miller who operated the mill on the property.

            There is no record of him selling the house, but it did later become the town “poor farm”. However, what interested me was that whenever his name came up in the literature it was, “Theophilus Pease, of whom curious incidents are recorded”. This appears more than once, but there is never any information offered about those incidents, so I went looking.

            The first thing I found was that he was a Quaker, and it was said that he built a Quaker Meeting House. However, there doesn’t appear to be any wills or records or deeds that definitely say where it was located, and I didn’t think it fit the criterion of “peculiar.” However, I did find another interesting story attached to Pease concerning the Gale of 1815. This is the report, “Theophilus Pease, of Rochester, aged 73, having repaired to [on] a small island at [near] Mattapoisett during the gale, to preserve some hay, soon saw his dangerous situation.”

            The account goes on to say that he took his pitchfork and some line that was in his pocket. He tied the pitchfork across the branches of a tree. He then stood on the pitchfork for about six hours while the storm raged around him. During part of that time, he was standing in water. The story finishes by saying that the island only had three or four trees, all of which were carried away by the flood, except for the one in which he stood. As the story goes, “it was a remarkable instance of preservation.”

            I think that this would definitely be classified as a “curious incident.”

By Connie Eshbach

The weather cooperated for the determined Scouts who gave their all at the annual Soap Box Derby held Saturday morning on Holmes Street in Marion. The event, hosted by Marion Cub Scout Pack 32, brought together scouts, leaders, parents, and neighbors in a celebration of teamwork and skill.

            Pack 32 of Marion and Pack 30 of Rochester were the stars of the day, with Troop 32 of Marion lending their support to the younger scouts, guiding them through the race and offering assistance as needed.

            As the cars sped down the hill, the young drivers were completely focused, each race showcasing their determination and pride. But the Soap Box Derby is more than just a thrilling race down a hill; it’s the result of weeks of preparation, learning, and collaboration. Scouts spent time refurbishing old cars and building new ones, gaining hands-on experience and learning valuable life skills along the way.

            The program emphasizes leadership, STEM concepts, and teamwork, providing scouts with the chance to take on various roles—driver, builder, and leader. These experiences help develop essential skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, project management, and sportsmanship. Preparing for the Derby, scouts not only learn how to build a car, but also how to work together, think creatively, and overcome challenges.

            Throughout the day, the atmosphere was filled with excitement, cheers, and encouragement. Whether racing to the finish line or celebrating a successful ride down the hill, scouts demonstrated a remarkable sense of camaraderie. Their enthusiasm for both winning and participating highlighted the true spirit of the event: good-natured competition and mutual support.

            As the day came to a close, both Marion and Rochester Cub Scouts were already looking forward to next year’s race. If you have a child in kindergarten through grade 5 who’s interested in joining the Scouts, contact marioncubscouts@gmail.com for more information. For those aged kindergarten through 17, visit beascout.scouting.org to learn how to get involved in scouting.

            Marion Scouts also would like to remind our neighbors and friends of the food donation boxes at Hiller Dodge-Jeep, Uncle Jon’s, and Marion Police Department. These donations will be picked up on November 20 and be used to serve those in need this holiday season.