USA > Connecticut > Ye names & ages of all ye old folks in every hamlet, city and town in ye state of Connecticut > Part 2
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84 88
Ozias Palmer,
80
CLINTON.
Mrs. Clarissa Baxter,
86
82 Mrs. Talmon Millard, 82
83 Fowler Bradford, 83
84 Mrs. Fowler Bradford, 80 80
83 Mrs. Clara Cross,
HISTORY OF JEREMIAH AUSTIN, OF COVENTRY.
82
Eliza Fitch, 80
George E. Fitch.
81
CORNWALL.
Rufina Green,
83
Diantha Loomis, Wealthy Matthewson, 80
83
Mrs. Joseph Smith,
84 81
Bishop Spencer,
81 Miss Nancy Robinson,
Simeon Downer,
Miss Ann Gilbert,
82
Michael Kennelly,
South Coventry, in the town of Coventry, Tolland County, Conn., possesses that rarest of inhabitants, a centenarian. In a population of little over 2,000 it has thirty-five persons who are 80 years old and over, and eight persons who are over 90. Among these is Mr. Jer- emiah Austin, who was born in West Greenwich, R. I., February 10, 1783, and consequently is advancing towards his 102d birthday. Early education in those days was not, as now, con- sidered essential to the success in life of a young man, and, after the very limited advantages afforded by the district schools, Mr. Austin went into the world to seek fortune. His career
II
NAMES OF YE OLD FOLKS OF CONNECTICUT.
was marked by vicissitude, the depression following the war of 1812 and the financial revul - sion of 1843, weakening all kinds of values and well nigh destroying even the hope of a par- tial recovery. In the year 1808, at the age of 25. his marriage took place, and with his wife he formed a pleasant home in Greenwich. He left it, however, for another town in his State, and in 1839 removed to Coventry, where he has dwelt ever since. Mrs. Austin died many years since at an advanced age. Their children numbered nine, and two of them are still living. Mr. Austin counts eight grandchildren and eleven great great grandchildren now liv- ing, most of whom call occasionally to see him. He has led a very quiet life, but has been an observer of affairs; and, although he is unable to follow the events of the day as they tran- spire, he manifests an interest; and, particularly at this time, as to politics, hesitates not to declare his presidential preferences, and expects to add one vote to the score of the success- ful candidate. As a voter he goes way back to Monroe's time, when voting by ballot seemed less a mockery than it does now, and he has much to say of the methods then in vogue, the confidence reposed by the people in their chosen rulers, and the tendency which then existed to respect the powers that be. Mr. Austin is quite ready with war anecdotes, and it is inter- esting to listen to the stories of Revolutionary times brought down the roadway of time, and which, though oft repeated, seem new to the youthful ears and understandings of those who are willing and ready to listen. His physical condition is such that he is able to walk about his premises. He enjoys second sight, and his mind and memory are clearer and stronger than most persons ten years younger than himself.
CROMWELL.
Aaron Purdy,
Levi Knapp,
87 Mrs. Ann Stott, 85
Mrs. Jared Post,
83
Samuel Brunkee,
84 Philomen Hoyt, 81
R. B. Barber,
85
Mrs. Priscilla Holmes,
86 Levi Knapp,
86
W. W. Pelton,
82
John Heumer,
84
David Hurlburt,
81
Horace Marshall,
85 Amasa Hamilton,
84
David Edwards,
81
Benedict Crofut,
83
Maria Frye,
87
Mrs. Almirà Topliff,
82
83 Richard Osborn,
82 Mrs. John Crawford,
81
Mrs. Alva Baldwin,
80 Mrs. A. Taylor,
Mrs. Henry Stocking,
83
John Maloney,
84 Mrs. Sylvia Fuller, 80
Mrs. Dunham,
84
Mrs. Mary Weed,
81
Ellen Croft,
80
Miss - Gilbert,
80
Jacob Frye,
80
DARIEN.
Population, 1,948.
Mary Selleck, 94
81 Holley Bell, 90
Amos Morris,
95 William Jabine,
81 Betsey Lockwood, 90
John Dermette,
94 Mrs. Betsey Bates,
83 Jane C. Foss, 90
Mrs. - Barlow,
94 Mrs. Parmelia Sirrine,
87 Sally Scofield, 90
85 Julia Wallace, 90
Adam Hawthorne,
90 Mrs. Mary Fanton,
84 Theodosia Gray, 90
Mrs. Ann Hodge,
90 John Dermont,
86 William Waterbury,
82
Asahel Beebe,
90 Hubbell Wildman,
84 Sally Roberts,
85
Rebecca Lyon,
86 Daniel Treadwell.
81 Elizabeth Warren,
85
Polly Coombs,
84 Mrs. Betsey Osborne,
81
Harriett Lasher, 83
80
Julia White,
82 Griffing Flagler,
85 Lewis Clock,
80
Maria White,
82 Ira Northrop,
84 John Pender,
88
Sarah A. Elwell,
81 Mrs. Ira Northrop.
82 Abigail Bell,
86
Susan Brush,
82 Mrs. Margaret Purdy,
84 Phebe Mather,
85
Mary Jennings,
82 Mrs. Lorinda Betts,
84 Eliseph Whitney,
85
Amelia Bronson,
80 Mrs. Parmelia Abbott,
87 Edward P. Waite,
84
Mrs. -- Craft,
81 John Morehouse,
86 Mary A. Mather,
83
John L. Mallory,
.
84 Mrs. Mary Elwell,
84 Angeline Whitney, 83
A. McDonald,
80 Amos Purdy,
81 Angeline Brown,
87
Miss Tiffany.
82
George Crofut,
83 Henry C. Knapp,
85
Jesse Goff,
DANBURY. Population, 11,669.
84
Mrs. Betsey Gregory,
82 86
Mrs. Amelia Sirrine,
Mrs. Triphenia Bevens,
99 John Baird,
84 Miss Maria Pease, 86
Mrs. - - Brown,
82 83
Mrs. Monmouth Lyon,
86 Margaret Wixted, 83
84 Mrs. Stephen Hurlbutt, 82
Mrs. S. Gledman,
Dunning Babbit,
80 Mary Ann Bradley,
82
Mrs. Samuel Wilcox,
Matthew Stevens,
84 Edwin Mills,
80
82 Ora Mills, 82
Mrs. Edward Jones,
83 Mrs. Lydia Stevens,
80 Mrs. Caroline Burchard, Ira Dibble,
84
Zerah Hamilton,
83 Amos Osborne,
83 Smith C. Samis,
Amasa Hodge,
91 Daniel Bradley,
81 John Stott, 82
Population, 1,140.
John Hodinott,
83 Thomas Hoyt, 81
Isaac Sirrine,
83 Colonel N. B. Dibble, 81
Charles Benedict,
12
NAMES YE OLD FOLKS OF CONNECTICUT.
Jane Weed, Lucy Walmsley,
Hannah M. Dickerman,
80 Thomas O'Brien,
83 Franklin Fox, 80
84
Zenas Alling, Lucy Holbrook, 82
Mary O'Brien, 82
Willis Hotchkiss, 81
Population, 11,649.
Polly Roden,
94
Maria Durand,
91
DURHAM.
Population, 990.
Mary E. Smith,
80
Prudence Spencer,
92
Adonijah Olmstead,
82
Mary Carroll,
84
Electa Prout,
88
Charlotte Babcock,
83
Joseph B. Payn,
81
Lois Rogers,
86 Daniel E. Dodge,
82
Hannah Sullivan,
80
Sherman Stone,
81
Giles Shattuck,
86
Martha Smith, 82
85 Prudence Fillmore,
83
Elizabeth Gilbert, 80
81
Lavinia Stoddard,
80
Ellen Hartnett,
82
Julia F. Gates,
82
Catherine Miller,
80
Jolın Hull,
81
Sophronia Lord, 82
Lewis Hotchkiss,
82
Almira Miller,
83 Louisa M. Brownell,
80
Betsey Elliott, 88
Sarah B. Atkins,
80
Anna Rich,
81
Miss Rebecca Gates, 82
Eliza Atwell,
80
Phebe A. Warner,
81
Martha Bachelor,
85
Parnell Camp,
84
Abby Warner,
82
Joseph P. Swift,
82
Bela Davis,
84
Delight Watrous,
86
Henry Crook;
80
Mehitable Thayer,
80
Theodore Watrous,
84
Hannah Hawkins,
87
Phebe White,
80
Mary Chapman,
85
Mary G. Swift,
80
Esther Nettleton,
Sarah Adkins,
84
Horace Newton,
85
Clarrissa M. Williams,
80
Bridget Comenford,
84
Eliza Gates,
84
Mary Gates,
86
Mrs. John Dyer,
83
Charles Hickox,
81
John A. Lord,
86
Nancy Freeman (colored), 82 80
Ruth Maltby,
84
Ann Holmes,
84
83 Roxana Boyne,
81
Ellen M. Baker,
80
Maria Coe,
88
Abner H. Stannard,
82
Elizabeth Hanners,
82
Lucius Foote,
81
Augustus C. Jones, 83
Austin C. Brownell,
86
EASTFORD,
Population, 855.
HADLYME DISTRICT.
(East Haddam.)
Mrs. Lucy Luther, 100
Nancy Hungerford, 90
Rev. S. A. Loper, 84
Ann Kelledy,
81
James Chapman,
82
Ann McGuire,
80
Manning Mumford,
82
C. H. Brockway, 81
Sylvia Talmadge,
Eliza Hungerford,
82
Thomas Walsh,
EAST GRANBY.
Abby Tolles,
83
Ferdinand Schnist,
Eliza Rose,
81
Miss Anna Holmes,
85
95 Mrs. Gatlan, 85
93 Betsey Shailer,
88
88 Clarissa Miner,
82
ANSONIA.
Mary Terry,
80 Mrs. Lydia T. Clark,
80 Mrs. Fanny Cornish,
80 Mrs. Sally Phelps, 80
83 Catherine Lawlor,
84 John Allison, 84
Rebecca Hoyt,
83 William Dodge,
80 Joel C. Holcomb, 81
EAST HADDAM.
Population, 3,032.
Henry Wallace, 94
Ephraim Short,
81
Clarisssa Smith, 90
Lucy Sawyer, 90
Elizabeth Cooper,
86
Sophronia Robinson,
80 Nancy B. Silliman,
81
Julius Field,
80 Clarissa Gettson,
84 Diodate Lee,
84
Julia Swift, 82
Leander White,
87 Brainard Palmer,
87
Bartholomew Hine,
85
Barbara Strong,
87 Roxana Fuller,
80
David Bradley,
Sally Maynard,
86 Hezekiah W. Percival,
83
George Blackman,
John McMahon,
A. Baldwin,
Lois Croffnt,
84
Oliver B. Sherwood,
84
Daniel D. Gilbert,
85
BIRMINGHAM.
Elizabeth Boyce,
84
Caroline Burlock,
80
Mrs. Laura Wilson,
82
C. B. Phelps, 82
William M. Willey, 82
John Phelan,
80 82 80 82
84
Johannah Daly,
80
Mrs. Sally Brown,
Mrs. Catherine C. Gould,
Mrs. Sally Alderman,
Mrs. Sophia J. Powers,
87 Eliza Brockway, 82
85 Rebecca Day, 80
84 Huldah Gates, 80
Thomas Murphy,
Mrs. - Halman, 97
Jacob Bantell, 95
94
Reuben Preston, Silas Preston,
86
Ann Hotchkiss,
80
Sarah Coe,
Austin S. Shailer, 80
Mrs. Betsy Adams, 86
Population, 754.
Edward Coyle,
84 80 81
Edward Hartnett,
Widow Charles Wilcoxson, 82
DERBY.
85 Hurleigh Skinner,
13
NAMES OF YE OLD FOLKS OF CONNECTICUT.
HISTORY OF MRS. LUCY LUTHER, OF HADLYME.
Mrs. Lucy Luther was born in Hadlyme, a hamlet in the town of East Haddam, January 6, 1784, and has always resided there. Her parents were farmers, and her childhood and youth were spent after the manner of the times. As a farmer's daughter she was unlike most of her associates. Timidity was a stranger to her-boldness and daring her character- istics. Very early she displayed nerve in emergencies, and when other girls shook with fear she would smile as if in her element. A fondness for horses manifested itself, and her father having the means, she was enabled to gratify her taste for horse-back riding. Unbroken colts and very spirited animals were her choice always, and it became well understood that Lucy Lord had no equal in the use of the bridle. In 1811, at the age of 27 years, she mar- ried John Luther, a farmer by occupation, but who varied his time as a ship-caulker at the various ship-yards on the Connecticut river. He died in 1864. They had six children, two of whom-the oldest, now nearly 60 (with whom Mrs. Luther resides), and the youngest are living. Her grandchildren number twenty and her great-grandchildren fourteen. Mrs. Luther is quite active, and is able to walk about her house easily and to the near neighbors occasionally. She says she supposes she is 100 years old, but it does not seem to her that she can be. Mr. Luther was a soldier in the war of 1812. She draws a pension on account of that service, and writes her name every quarter on the vouchers sent her from the bureau. The use of a pen causes her to complain of the "ager" which makes her hand rather unsteady. Not long since a lady, aged 90, was driving past her house. It caused remark as a rare circumstance. Mrs. Luther thought that was not a great thing to do, and speaking to her son, said: "If you will get up your horse [quite a spry one] I can drive to Semantha's just as well as not." Semantha is the centenarian's daughter, who lives a mile away. Mrs. Luther belongs to the Baptist Church, and through listening to its teachings for more than two generations, is firmer than ever in the correctness of her religious convictions. Hers is a splendid Christian character, and even though she has passed 100 years, there is mental and moral strength remaining, and, like some grand tree, when spring has merged itself into summer, it stands a living example of firmness and beauty. Mrs. Luther is a frequent reader of the Bible. Seated at her window she may be seen almost any day with the Sacred Book in her hand. She is very genial and has a happy word for those who call. The parish of Hadlyme has about 300 of population. Seventeen of these are over 80 years old. The people take pride, and justly, in the fact that one of this number is more than a centenarian.
EAST HARTFORD.
Population, 3,500.
Augustus Amerlinxen,
81
Mrs. Emily Wadsworth,
82
Mrs. Annie Butler,
90 81
Mrs. Paulina Williams,
82
Mrs Morehouse Daniels, 92
Mrs. Fannie Brewer,
82
Allen Wadsworth,
EAST HAVEN.
Population, 3,067.
Mrs. Mary Fox,
Mrs. Hannah Fox,
88 80 Mrs. Susan Davidson,
87
Joseph Gotham, 84
84 Chauncey Manwarning, 83
EASTON.
Population, 1,145.
80 Nancy Coley (colored), 105
Charles Goodsell, 94
82 Benjamin B. Ogden, 93
Miss Rhoda Hall, 91
91
80 Sidney Staples,
80
80 Mrs. Sidney Staples,
80
86 Samuel W. Bradley,
86
Mrs. Mercy Northam,
80 Mrs. Rebecca Spencer,
87 William Thompson,
83 Jesse Tuttle,
83 Miss Julia Thompson,
84
EAST LYME.
Population, 1,731.
Miss Sally Chapell, 95
John G. Rogers, 93
Thomas Burnham,
Mrs. Delia Wallace,
85
Mrs. Alfred Coleman, 92
87
Daniel Phillips, 85
Mrs. Daniel Phillips, 83
Nehemiah Caulkins, 86
91 Mrs. Nehemiah Caulkins,
83
90 Mrs. Morgan,
88
Mrs. Sarah Hills,
Mrs. Lydia Hyde,
86 Samuel Andrews,
82 Mrs. Sally Andrews,
84 85
Mrs. Marian Phelps,
81 Mrs. Olive Blackstone,
83
Mrs. Catharine Hawson,
84 Desire Farren,
82 Mrs. Betsey Bradley,
80
Mrs. Ellen Kyle,
89 Factor Russell,
Mrs. Elizabeth Lincoln,
89 Mrs. Hrrriet Bishop,
86
Mrs. Aseneth Lowe,
84 Harrington Chidsey, 80 Mrs. Betsey Street,
82 Mrs. Emeline Bagley,
83 Selah Clarke,
82 Sophia Pattison,
85
83 Samuel Wheeler, 84
Jason Roberts,
Mrs. Sally Risley,
Henry Schmidt,
George A. Sloan, Abraham Williams,
80
81
91
Mrs. Sarah Brewer, Mrs. Hannah Conners, James Case,
85 80 87
Mrs. Mary Forbes,
83 80 Mrs. Nancy Woodward, Mrs. Polly Farren,
Samnel O. Hollister, Ralph Hills,
80 Mrs. Sally Chedsey,
Mrs. Mary C. Jones,
Mrs. Jane Mcclellan, Mrs. Eunice Millard, Hanford M. Northam,
Mrs. Lucinda Risley,
80 Caroline Seeley, 83
80 Gilbert Wakeman, 83
83 Walter Banks,
John Dwyre,
14
NAMES OF YE OLD FOLKS OF CONNECTICUT.
Josiah Mallett,
84 Alva Gregory,
87 Hezekiah Lockwook, 80
David O. Banks,
82 Mrs. Alva Gregory,
86 Mrs. Hezekiah Lockwood, 83
Benjamin Hall,
87 Mrs. Deborah Jennings,
87 Aaron Beers, 80
Clarissa Coley,
81 Mrs. -Newell,
88 Mrs. Aaron Beers, 80
Mrs. Ahaz Oakley,
84 Mrs. Stebbins Sanford,
85 Philo Hall,
80
Mrs. Eben Gould,
88 Mrs. Andrew Beers,
85
Nathan Davis,
88 Mrs. Deborah Silliman, 84
BEEN TAKING SNUFF NINETY YEARS.
A WOMAN WHO REMEMBERS WHEN SOLDIERS OF THE REVOLUTION CAME HOME.
In the southwestern portion of the town of Easton there dwells in a lowly cottage which is kept serupulously neat, a colored woman, Mrs. Nancy Coley, who, accepting her story as true, and relying on the statements of a former town eterk, Mr. A. Osborn, who searched the records in her behalf, is 105 years old. She was born at Greenfield Hill, a portion of the town of Fairfield, November 29th, 1779. She was the daughter of Titus Burr. a native of Africa, who came to this country when a boy, about the year 1732. Aunt "Nance" as she is familiarly called, was never a slave, though she was cotemporary with Captain Ascher. Samson and his wife Dorcas, all colored people, belonging to the neighboring town of West- port, each of whom had been a slave, and at their deaths a few years ago, were each over 100. The most aged resident of Easton, Mr. Charles Goodsell, now in his 95th year, says Aunt "Nance" was an old woman when he was 21, and other aged citizens of that locality agree that she is much more than a centenarian. In the year 1799, at the age of 20, she married her first husband, Castile Nichols, by whom she had twelve children. Ten of these have died. One of the remaining two and her youngest, Charles Nichols, resides in Bridgeport. With this husband she was often seen at work in the fields-he bareheaded, she with the traditional turban characteristic of her sex and race. At her birth, it is said, she was so small that those in attendance placed her in a pewter teapot, such as was used in those days, and shut the lid down. As a girl she was frail, but grew up to be a strong woman and could endure any amount of fatigue and not be affected by it. At the age of five years she says she saw the soldiers when they returned from the Revolution.
There was great excitement, as many of them had been away seven years. They were farmers, and when the call for men was made they had left their plows and horses in the field, and with rusty flint-lock King's arm muskets, had gone forth to their country's defense. They went out for a purpose, remained in the field till it was accomplished, and when they got back-and the aged lady sighed as she remarked, "some of them never came,"-the neigh- bors and friends were wild with delight. They almost wanted to tear the clothing off the veterans to show how glad they were. Cases of old Jamaica-the real article, were employed as a partial means of entertainment, and the spigots of all the cider barrels in the neighbor- hood were placed at their free disposal. There was no end to the marvelous stories which the braves narrated, and no limit to the patience exhibited in listening. In fact, Fairfield was happy in the assurance that the war was really ended, and the windows of the court house, and those in a building which sufficed for a county jail seemed to smile a grateful ap- proval. But offering libations and listening to stories were not sufficient in themselves to satisfy the delighted home guard. There must be a more substantial recognition of the Con- tinentals' services. So the folks decided to have a barbecue in honor of their return, and they held it near the court house. She distinctly remembered the event. The folks dug a big hole in the ground, built a fire in it, the sides of the hole being laid with stones like a well. The fattest ox in the township was slaughtered and dressed and suspended whole over the fire. The cooking, however, was not complete and the soldiers were able to eat only out- side portions of the carcass. What remained was cut up and given to the poor. She could not be mistaken about the ox roast, for her father got a large piece and brought it home to the children. When a girl, she lived with the family of Robert Fairchild, of Stratford, and with Ephraim Knapp, of Bridgeport, a brother of James Knapp, of Fairfield. How many years she dwelt in these places she cannot tell, but thinks she located in Easton before the war with England. Her first husband died twenty years, ago, and in 1865 she married James Coley, aged 70, at this time a mere child compared to her as to years. Uncle "Jim" remembers Aunt Nancy's old boss in Greenfield and has many stories to tell of the queer ways of doing things which characterized him. Through life a hut has been her masnion, and though others within the sight of her abode have enjoyed roofs which defied the weather, a simple thatch, which storms and cold north winds invaded, has been satisfactory to her. Domestic felicity has not continuously favored Aunt "Nance." Some of her descendants have failed to respect the command, "Honor thy Father, etc.," and frequently within her domain there have occurred those incidents which were not indicative of harmony. Indeed for more
15
NAMES OF YE OLD FOLKS OF CONNECTICUT.
than half a century the veteran's mind has been harassed by those who should have contribu- ted to its peace. At the age of fifteen Aunt "Nance" acquired the habit of taking snuff, and for 90 years, with few interruptions, she has continued it. It was an expensive Inxury at first, and during the war of 1812 and for some years thereafter, a brand which suited her could not be obtained for love or money. During these " corners" in the snuff market artifice was resorted to to get the luxury. Chewers of Old Virginia were watched with eagle eyes, and that which they relinquished for a fresh mouthful was seized, dried, pounded and sifted with care and skill, and, so far as a miserable substitute could produce it, there was joy in the household again. Yet the centenarian was often subjected to long periods of total absti- nence, caused by politicians wrangling as they are now, over policies for protection and free trade, and as a consequence, the innocent consumer suffered. Tranquility came at last, though there was a forced ripple after 1842, but since, along with the progress and develop- ment of the country, the old lady has enjoyed her favorite. In this, the evening of her days, snuff is her only solace, and whoever would draw near her heart and cause her countenance to beam with delight, has simply to tender her a package of strong old Maccaboy, after a pinch or two of which she is prepared to answer all manner of questions as to herself. Un fortunately, memory has became treacherous and she cannot readily recall facts and dates Many of her utterances are incoherent and only by asking questions not pertinent to the in_ formation sought, and from answers inadvertently given can a tolerably correct theory as to what she really would say, be formed. Hearing and sight remain good, but she moves about in her little apartment with difficulty. Her tottering step, sunken eye and husky voice speak unmistakably of the vast period of years through which she has passed.
The anniversary of Mrs. Coley's birth will be informally celebrated. A few friends will call, and for their edification she will repeat stories of events in the remote past.
EAST WINDSOR.
Seymour L. King,
81
ELLINGTON.
Population, 3,110.
P. C. Lee, Eliza Lord, 81
82
Population, 1,569.
Elsie Watson,
92
Hiram Lord, 81
Mrs. Violet Chappel (col'd), 101
Almira Woodworth,
91
Mary Allen,
81
Mrs. Mary Emmons, 94
Chester Gray,
90 Mary Allen, 88
Mrs. Eunice Kibbee, 94
Anna Lord,
90
Elizabeth T. Bissell, 83
Mrs. Rhoda Green, 93
Harriett Smith,
80 David O. Bancroft, 81
Miss Betsey Newell, 88
Isabella Sunderland,
86 Mary Buckley,
87 Mrs. Sarah Johnson, 84
Thomas I. Tucker,
84
Rufus A. Bush,
81 Mrs. Jane Lane, 80
Robert Wheeler,
85 Olive Dunham,
83 Mrs. Lora Aborn, 81
Trumbull Wells,
88
Orpha Fish,
87
Mrs. Laura Aborn, 87
John J. Waldorf,
86 Christopher Fowler,
84 Mrs. Ruth Charter, 83
Mary P. Woodward,
80 Charlotte Mason,
82 Mrs. Mary Dow, 88
George D. Woodward,
83 Harriet Niels,
83 Mrs. Elizabeth Benjamin, 83
Tryphenia W. Watkins,
80 Submit Morton,
82 Mrs. Abigail Morton, 82
Hiram Watkins,
82 Almon Noble,
81 Mrs. Cynthia Martin, 84
Sarah Gray,
82 William Noltemier,
80 Mrs. Polly Riggs, 88
Liberty Hills,
81 Mirinda Osborne,
82 Thomas J. Whiton, 84
Emeline Hunter,
80 Roxana Porter,
81 Samuel D. Chapin,
83
William A. Heath,
80 Cynthia W. Porter,
84 Theodore Spencer, 87
Eliza C. Haskins,
81 Sophronia W. Palmer,
81 Elisha Buckley,
Joseph Haskins,
85 Azel S. Roe,
85
Jeanette Haskins,
81 Julianna Robertson,
81
Mary Kelly,
82 Mary Ellsworth, 82
83
HISTORY OF MRS. VIOLET CHAPPELL OF ELLINGTON.
Mrs. Violet Chappell, colored, was born in Belchertown, Mass., August 29, 1783, just before the clo-e of the Revolution. While the exact day of her birth may be somewhat in doubt, from statements of those in families where she used to live, Mrs. Chappell is much more than 101 years old. During the first years of her life property in slaves was common in Massachusetts as well as in Connecticut, but she was never held as a slave. She left her native State soon after the war of 1812, and about the year 1820 was married to John Chap- pell. He died many years ago. For a time she had a residence in Vermont, but finally settled in Ellington. She is at this time in possession of every faculty, sight being the best preserved. Her mind and memory are somewhat impaired, and there are only a few things in the past of which she has any recollection. Dwelling always afar from the stirring scenes of her time, she has simply heard of them and knows comparatively little of their meaning and significance. She cannot tell how old she is, as there are no written records for reference,
16
NAMES OF YE OLD FOLKS OF CONNECTICUT.
but she has sometimes been heard to remark that she did not believe she was a hundred. This may have been caused by a sort of vanity often displayed by advanced persons who wish to be known as younger than they really are. From neighbors and aged residents, however, comes the declaration that she was a very old woman when they first knew her, and some of these are over 90. In bodily health she is stronger than many at 60. She is, in fact, like some aged tree with firm roots, putting forth leaves as seasons return, smiling when sunshine falls upon its foliage with as much apparent satisfaction as the younger ones with which it is surrounded. Her recollections of events of long ago, while in every instance she is not exact, is such as to show that there has been a time when she was familiar with them. On many occasions she has spoken of persons and things relating to the late war with Eng- land, which were conclusive that no fabrication had been attempted, but that they were based on truth, which she knew to be such.
ENFIELD.
Ellen Broderick,
90
Lucretia Ilancock, 81
Population, 6,754. Walter Pease, 101 years, March 29, 1885. (A farmer by oc-
James Benson,
86 Russell Haskill, 83
83 Betsy S. Johnson, 83
cupation, and always lived in Enfield.)
Sybil Ely,
89 Nellie Newcomb, 81
Chauncey Allen, 89
Bridget A. Griffith,
86 Lyra Potter, 83
Jonathan Button,
86 Agnes Hood,
84 Elizabeth Ryan,
86
Aholiah Johnson,
85 Joseph Hibbleth waite,
83 Calvin Stebbens,
83
Joseph P. Converse,
84 John Hamilton,
83 Margaret Shepherd, 88
James Ely,
86 Martha Kelly,
83 James Ronald, 86
84
Mrs. Parsons Henry,
83
Mary McFebrick,
82 Otis Chieson,
83
Mrs. Elihu Colton,
87 Edith Phelps,
80 Orrin G. Currier,
81
Mrs. Joseph Converse,
84 Charles Stewart,
81 Willis Phelps,
81
Mrs. Jonathan Bartlett,
83 George Wilbraham,
86 William Samis,
83
Mrs. William S. Morison, 81 Mary Allen,
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