(Submitted by McKay J. Collett. Originally this article was titled "1871" but after reviewing it it appears that the writer was referring to the 1871 picnic as being the one he did not attend which is possibly why it was titled the way it was. The dates of the deaths of the two cousins mentioned in the article happened in August 1872 and the winter of 1871/1872.)

     This account of the 5th reunion is copied from a newspaper clipping found pasted in a scrapbook belonging to Betty Magee of Wilmington Ohio. She said the book was made by her grandmother.

The Collett-McKay Pic-nic 1872
(Originally titled "1871")

     We were not at the happy reunion of these two families last year, but the account we had of it made us anxious to go this year, and we went. The fifth annual reunion was held on the same ground as last year, the grove of D M Collett on the pike leading from Gurneyville to New Burlington. on Saturday last, the 10th inst. We were accompanied by our wife and children, and felt like we were going among strangers, but driving onto the ground we were so kindly welcomed by our numerous friends by the name of Collett and as equally a large number of McKay's, that we soon felt as much at home as tho' we were enjoying a days pleasure among our old friends in Clermont. Apropos of this, we met Mrs. Noah Haines, a native Clermonter, who has been thoroughly indoctrinated in the belief that she and her clever husband live in the garden spot of the world, not far from Harveysburg. The attendance of the families this year was about the same as last year. The whole number present was two hundred and fifty; of these two hundred were relations, and the remainder visitors. There were ten Collett families represented, numbering thirty-two persons, and thirteen McKay families represented, numbering sixty-one persons, and the whole number of families resented amounted to about sixty. The only deaths occurring during the year, of those who were present at the last reunion, were Lewis Collett, who died last winter, and John McCoy who died August 1st inst.
     The gentlemen of the two families are nearly all engaged in successful business of farming., there being in the large number present but eight persons who belong to what are termed the professions, and of the voters present there are but two suspected of Greeleyism, the whole party talking Grant with a vim that showed they were earnest Republicans. The hours before noon were pleasantly spent in exchanging greetings and introducing the few visitors present, and the happy laughter and hearty hand-shaking and such a joyous commingling of relatives and friends is seldom seen on any occasion. Temporary tables had been prepared, and while a few of the male members were building a fire preparatory to making coffee and tea, the matrons had spread the table with such a load of the good things of this life, that they fairly groaned beneath their burden. When all was ready they gathered quietly around the long tables and in a few appropriate and impressive sentences, Rev. Mr. Stokes of New Burlington, asked the Divine blessing on the families and friends so auspiciously gathered together. The dinner had in it all the good things that one could well think of, and it was enjoyed by all present with as much order and dignity as though it had been served /in the ample dining rooms of any of the well-to-do farmers present. Before dinner was over, threatening clouds in the west arose which portended rain, and this appearance disturbed the quiet, and in a short time persons began to leave the grounds. The near approach of rain made it necessary to seek shelter and we, in company with about sixty others, drove to the hospitable mansion of Mr. E B Hackney, a short distance from the grounds. Here the social qualities of the company found free scope, and it was generally agreed that the afternoon was quite pleasantly spent as the morning had been, but as the company was divided, we regretted the coming of the much needed rain as the day was only half gone, and we were beginning to feel much at home, when we were driven from the field. There were several items which we purposed to secure, to assist us in making note of this pleasant meeting, but we were not anticipating so precipitous a retreat and so we failed to secure them. To the many kind friends we met we extend our heartiest thanks for a day of rare enjoyment and hope they may have an annual re-union for long, long years to come, and we find as clever a welcome as was extended to us on last Saturday.

(Provided courtesy of Kim Becker Price.)

Collett and McKay Pic-nic.

     The annual re-union of the members of the McKay and Collett families took place last Saturday, in a beautiful grove about three miles south of New Burlington. About one hundred and fifty persons were present, who partook of a bountiful repast prepared for the occasion by the ladies. After dinner there was the usual amount of informal sociability characteristic of such occasions. The aged leaning upon their staves, were there, it may be, for the last time; strong manhood, in the midst of families; youth and childhood; all were fully represented. Nor was there wanting stately grooms and lovely brides, newsy editors and irrepressible reporters, preachers and politicians, a goodly number. Music by the young folks echoed through the shady glen, and added much to the enjoyableness of the occasion.

C. M. G.     

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     --The Collett-McKay annual reunion takes place next Saturday near Oakland.

     The annual Collett and McKay picnic, well known to all interested, will be held at the usual place on the grounds of D. M. Collett, on Saturday, the 10th day of August. From the interesting account we had of this annual gathering Last year, we are anticipating a pleasant visit to the coming one, the invitation to attend coming from our friends, D. M. and M. N. Collett.

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Family Re-union.

     The Collett and McKay families, according to their past usage, will have a Reunion this year. in B. M. Collett's grove, three miles from New Burlington, on Saturday, the 10th of August. There will be a basket dinner and a very pleasant social interview. The families and their friends number several hundred.

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