USA > Maine > Waldo County > Islesboro > History of Islesborough, Maine > Part 8
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Schooner Rosannah, built in 1815, Noah Dodge, mas- ter ; tonnage, 106 80-95 ; owners, Oliver Parker, Joshua Treat and others, Frankfort.
Schooner Edna, built in 1821, William Hewes, inaster; tonnage, 22 18-95 ; owners, Paoli Hewes, William Hewes, Islesborough.
Schooner Gold Hunter, built in 1816, Joshua Howes, master; tonnage, 138 24-95 ; owners, Joshua Howes and others.
Schooner Pamelia, built in 1829, James Trim, master ; tonnage, 22 28-95 ; owners, James Trim and Godfrey Trim, Islesborough.
Schooner Orion, built In 1829, William Farrow, inas- ter ; tonnage, 22 67-95 ; owner, Josiah Farrow, Isles- borough.
Schooner Mary Jane, built in 1831, John Farrow, Jr., master ; tonnage, 100 84-95 ; owners, John Farrow, Jr., John Farrow, Ambrose Farrow, James Farrow, John Pen- dleton1.
Brig Melissa, built in 1837, Ambrose Farrow, master ; tonnage, 175 7-95; owners, Ambrose Farrow, William Farrow, Francis Grindell, J. Sherman, Elisha Eames.
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HISTORY OF ISLESBOROUGH.
ISLESBOROUGH CAPTAINS AND THEIR VESSELS FIFTY YEARS AGO.
Samuel Marshall,
Alms.
Isaac Warren,
Traveler.
John Pendleton, called Capt. Jack, Sloop Trial.
James Sherman,
Laurel.
Robert Farnsworth,
Rosilla and Jane.
Albert Pendleton,
Vistula.
Benjamin Thomas,
Hannah.
Andrew Pendleton,
Nantucket.
John Gilkey,
Pierce and Citizen. Savage.
Ambrose Farrow,
First three-masted schooner. He died in Havana of yellow fever.
James Farrow,
Morning Star.
Mary Jane.
John Farrow, Jr., Built in Islesborough.
Josiah Farrow, Taken by English in War of 1812.
Specie.
Amasa Hatch,
Champion.
James Hatch,
Augusta.
Thomas Williams, Sr.,
George Washington, Jr.
John Pendleton, Jr.,
Mary Jane.
Nelson Pendleton,
Cordelia.
Joseph Pendleton,
Nantucket.
Ephraim Pendleton,
Nantucket.
Thomas Cookson,
Eugene and Jane.
William Williams,
Oneco.
Fame & Five Brothers.
Jairus Coombs,
Boston Packet. Charles & Samuel.
Daniel Philbrook,
Gazelle.
Joseph Trim, Job Philbrook,
Otis F. Coombs,
Henry B. Coombs,
Benj. Ryder,
Henry Rose, Sr.,
James Dodge,
Megunticook. Sloop Abigail. Alert. Susan and Phœbe.
Franklin.
Abbiona. Caledonia.
Jesse Coombs,
Elbridge Philbrook,
HISTORY OF ISLESBOROUGH. II3
Joseph Woodard, Jr., Andrew Marshall,
Joseph Boardman,
Augusta. Elizabeth. Lucy Lydia. Hudson.
David Warren, 40 years,
Pillsbury Coombs,
Caledonia.
Mark B. Dodge,
Thomas.
Otis Veazie,
Economy.
Joseph Grover,
Alfred.
Isaac Burgess, Fisherman,
Java.
Thomas Ryder,
Ranger.
Reuben Matthews,
Leo.
Elisha Trim,
St. Lucas.
Godfrey Trim,
Globe.
Henry Rose,
Albany.
Fields Coombs,
Sloop Packet. Moro.
Isaac Coombs,
Nantucket.
Rathburn Dodge,
Merrit.
Simon Dodge,
Sophrona. Maine.
Lewis Hatch,
Only Son.
Solomon Dodge,
Joseph and Willie.
Walter F. Dodge,
Rialto.
William Boardman,
Rising Sun.
Jeremiah Warren,
Wave.
Stephen Warren,
Elizabeth.
Mark Pendleton,
Sophrona.
Peleg Pendleton,
Nantucket.
Stephen Pendleton,
Rosanna Rose.
Paoli Hewes,
Ethel.
Luther Ames, John Eames,
Caledonia.
Benj. Warren,
Paul.
Sylvester Brown,
Simon Dodge,
Elisha Pendleton,
Lebanon. Sophrona. Return.
Schooner Rialto and brig Daniel Webster were built in Islesborough.
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Good Intent.
James Warren,
Wm. Avery Parker,
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HISTORY OF ISLESBOROUGH.
DISASTERS.
Captain Mathew Ranlett, of the schooner Georgia, went down loaded with coal off Wood Island, on the coast of Maine, December 10, 1878. Captain and crew were all drowned, viz .: Mathew Ranlett, Austin Warren, a son of W. S. Cookson, and a man belonging to the town of Penobscot.
Brig Gazelle, Captain Daniel Philbrook, from Boston for the Island of Cuba, 1844-'5, was wiecked at sea. The crew were twenty-four days on the wreck. They suffered great hardships from exposure and famine, and this was one of the worst shipwrecks that ever happened to Isles- borough mariners. That part of the crew who belonged in Islesborough were as follows: Captain Daniel Phil- brook, Mr. Haskell, Paul Sawyer, and Samuel Warren. Samuel Warren was killed at the time the brig capsized.
Schooner Remington, Captain Hosea Wyman. The schooner was lost at sea. Captain Wyman and his son Clifford were washed overboard and drowned. The remainder of the crew were taken off by a passing vessel. Captain Wyman had many warin friends and very few enemies, and his loss was severely felt by his friends and neiglibors.
Schooner Anne Leland, Captain Onslow Thomas. The vessel was loaded with lumber, from Bangor for New York. She sailed from Gilkey's Harbor, and was never heard from. Mr. Amnasa Williams was with the vessel as mate, and a young man from Seven-Hundred-Acre Island. The rest of his crew unknown.
Schooner Lucy and Nancy, Captain Milton Whitcomb. The schooner was loaded with lumber, and she filled with water near Cape Ann. Joel Mixer and Richard Wilson were drowned. Captain Whitcomb was the only one who was saved, and he had a narrow escape. The loss of the Lucy and Nancy was October 9, 1873.
.
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HISTORY OF ISLESBOROUGH.
In the year 1862 Captain Jacob Wyman, in the brig Winyaw, loaded with lumber and bricks, sailed from the port of Portland bound for Tortugas, and was never heard from. Captain Wyman and his two brothers, Jairus and Rufus, who were with him, and Josiah Maxcey, one of the crew, all from Islesborough.
Brig Zavilla Williams, Capt. W. Veazie, foundered No- vember 17, 1875. The brig had a load of coal from New York for Bangor. There were three that belonged in Islesborough drowned, viz .: Captain William Veazie, Andrew Spinney, and William G. Coombs, all young men, who were inuch respected. A monument was erected in the cemetery to the memory of Captain William Veazie.
Brig Almira, Captain Tolman Pendleton, from Bangor for Boston, in October, 1876, with lumber, experienced a heavy gale of wind, and washed to pieces at sea. The crew made a raft of the lumber. They were on the raft seven days, when Captain Pendleton died from exposure, with two of his crew. Mr. Hobart Dodge and the captain's brother were rescued by a fisherman.
Schooner Henry Seavey, Captain Charles Coombs, foundered March 31, 1879. The schooner had a cargo of coal from Rondout, bound to Boston. Captain Charles Coombs, Elbridge Coombs, and Calvin Pendleton were drowned. They were all from Islesborough.
FIRES IN ISLESBOROUGH.
A list of houses that have been burnt in Islesborough, with names of owners as far as ascertained.
Hancock Rose, dwelling house. Williamn Lassell, dwelling house. 1841. Samuel Marshall, dwelling house.
1857. George Dodge, dwelling house.
James R. Dodge, dwelling house.
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HISTORY OF ISLESBOROUGH.
1872. David Warren, dwelling house.
1874. Joseph A. Sprague, dwelling house.
1844. Avery Parker, dwelling house.
1859. Joseph Dodge, dwelling house.
Mrs. Ann Hatch Warren, dwelling house.
1876. Alonzo Coombs, dwelling house.
Mrs. Catherine Bagley, dwelling house. Perez Rich, dwelling house.
1878. Martin V. Pendleton, dwelling house.
1886. Sewell B. Fletcher, dwelling house.
1875-'77. P. P. Boardman had two houses burnt.
1885. E. S. Preble, dwelling house.
1838. Andrew Marshall, dwelling house.
1878. Isaac Warren, dwelling house.
Stores. Mansfield Clark, Hobart Dodge; Lincoln N. Gilkey, in October, 1885.
Vessels. Brig Adams, Stephen Warren, master, burnt in Gilkey's Harbor; schooner Return, Elisha Pendleton, master, burnt in Gilkey's Harbor; schooner Regulator, partially burnt in Sabbath-Day Harbor.
THE MURDER OF ANN BROWN BY HER HUSBAND, CAPT. JOSEPH J. BROWN.
As has been said elsewhere in this history, but one native of Islesborough has ever been comninitted to the State prison, that man being Captain Joseph J. Brown, who was tried and convicted of murder in the first degree and sentenced to be lianged.
Brown killed his wife, Ann Brown, at their house ill Islesborough, April 16, 1856. The murder was a cold- blooded and unprovoked one. Brown was a sailor, and had been master of a small coaster, and was about thirty- five years of age at the time of the murder. His wife was a native of Islesborough, and about thirty years of age
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HISTORY OF ISLESBOROUGH.
when killed. She was an entirely inoffensive woman. Brown, when intoxicated, is said to have treated his wife brutally, beating her on such occasions without ever alleging any provocation. The day before the murder Brown had been to Belfast, and, as usual when there, he had indulged freely in intoxicating liquor. He did not return home until the morning of the murder, arriving there just after breakfast. His family consisted of his wife, one daughter twelve years of age, and an infant of four months. Four other children had been born to them, but had all died young. Before the murder, Mrs. Brown and the two children were the only persons in the house when Brown came home; Mrs. Thomas Fletcher, Brown's sister, who had stayed there over night, having left a short time before. When Brown went into the house he gave his pocket-book to his daughter, and in a few minutes picked up a butcher knife that was lying on the floor and deliberately cut his wife's throat from ear to ear; she begging of him to spare her life, but her dying entreaties were of no avail. The young daughter tried to save her mother, but was powerless to do so. In her efforts to get the knife away from her father her fingers were badly cut.
. Immediately after the murder Brown went to Thomas Fletcher's house and said to Fletcher, "Thomas, I want you to go into my house and see to them folks; there is trouble there." Mr. Fletcher at once went to Brown's house, and found Mrs. Brown lying on the floor dead. Brown also went back to the house, went in and looked at his wife's body and said, "She is dead fast enough." He then left the house again and went to an abrupt precipice overlooking the water, not far from his house, with a feigned intention of throwing himself off. He then jumped into a small boat and started in the direction of the outer islands. By this time the aların had been spread,
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HISTORY OF ISLESBOROUGH.
and Benjamin A. Warren, John Sears, James L. Michaels and Philip Pendleton followed in another boat. Seeing himself pursued, Brown rowed back into a cove, where he procured a large rock and again put to sea. He fastened a rope around the rock and to his neck, carefully securing his knife to the stone, however, so that he could easily cut the rope. He then jumped overboard. He went down, but soon came up, and was secured by the four men who were pursuing him, and was taken ashore and put into the hands of Simon D. Sprague, the constable of the town.
The next day after the murder an inquest was held by John D. Rust, of Belfast, as coroner, with the following jury : Calvin Eames, foreman; F. A. Lewis, Charles Nash, Henry Boardman, Nathaniel Hatch, James Hatch, Orris Clark, William P. Boardman, Leander Allen, Thos. Williams. The jury found the facts to be as already stated in the foregoing account, and rendered a verdict in accordance therewith. Brown was then taken to Belfast, where he was arraigned before F. A. Lewis, Esq., and after hearing the testimony of Pamelia C. Brown (Brown's daughter), who witnessed the murder, Thomas Fletcher, Benjamin A. Warren, and others, Brown was committed to jail to await trial at the May term of the Supreme Court. During the examination he manifested no feeling at all, showing no signs that he regretted the awful deed he had committed.
Brown's trial commenced at Belfast, May 19, 1856, a little over a month after the murder was committed, Judge Seth May presiding. The prosecution was conducted by Honorable George Evans, Attorney General, and James B. Murch, Esq., then of Unity, County Attorney. Honor- able Nehemiah Abbott and A. T. Palmer, Esq., were counsel for the prisoner. The trial lasted about a week, and each day the court-house was crowded with an inter- ested audience. The testimony for the State was about
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HISTORY OF ISLESBOROUGH.
the same as at the preliminary examination. The de- fence was insanity, and several witnesses were introduced to prove that there had been insanity in the Brown fam- ily, and an effort was made to prove that Brown himself had shown signs of insanity.
Doctor Henry M. Harlow, for many years superintend- ent of the Insane Hospital at Augusta, was a witness. The closing arguments were very able on both sides, as was the judge's charge. The jury were out only about an hour, bringing in a verdict of murder in the first degree. The verdict was received by the people present with gen- eral satisfaction. The prisoner betrayed no perceptible emotion, and seemed as unmoved as he had all through the trial. On his way to the jail he expressed his satis- faction at the verdict, and regretted that he attempted a defence. The following Monday Brown was taken into court to receive his sentence, and upon being asked if he had anything to say why the sentence of the law should not be pronounced against him, he arose and spoke as follows: "What can I say? If I did the deed proved against ine, I did not know it. I am glad it was no worse. I am glad I did not injure my children or neighbors. I always provided for my children according to my ability. You can do with me as you see fit. My life is in your hands. I don't know as I have anything more to say."
Judge May then, in an affecting and deeply impressive manner, pronounced the sentence of death by hanging, the prisoner to be taken to State prison to await the exe- cution of the sentence, until which time to be put to hard labor in solitary confinement. Brown was at once taken to Thomaston and committed to the State prison ; but he was not hanged, as within a few months he killed himself by cutting his throat with a piece of glass. The prevail- ing opinion at the present time is that he was insane at the time the murder was committed, and the writer joins in that opinion.
CHAPTER VI.
NOTABLE PERSONS.
J OSIAH Farrow was born in Bristol, Me., in 1785, and when but a few years of age moved with his parents to Islesborough, where from that time they made it their home. When but a young lad he commenced going to sea, and continued to follow it for a living for more than twenty years. His principal experiences in that line were in being once shipwrecked, and in being taken prisoner in the war of 1812. His shipwreck was in the early part of his sea-going. He was on a vessel bound to Boston, in the month of December, when they encountered a very severe gale, and were blown off the coast and dismasted. They suffered much from exposure and want of food and water, being on the wreck a number of days. They were at last rescued by a vessel on her passage to Berbice, S. A., to which port they were taken. He came back home on a vessel bound to Boston, after an absence of several months. His friends not having heard from him during all this time, had mourned him as dead. Of course liis unexpected return was a joyful surprise.
His prison experience occurred when he was about twenty-eight years old. At that time he commanded a vessel, and was part owner. His business was between Boston and Alexandria, Va. At the time he was taken he was on his passage to Boston, loaded with flour (which was of more than ordinary value, owing to the embargo), having succeeded, under cover of a dense fog, in getting past the blockading squadron at the mouth of the Potomac river. All went well until they reached Cape Cod, when
JOSIAH FARROW.
January 2, 1786 -- August 11, 1861.
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HISTORY OF ISLESBOROUGH.
they found they were pursued, their escape being dis- covered when the fog lifted. It needed but a few hours to have reached their destination. This they were not able to do. They were captured, their vessel burned, and the cargo seized. They were taken to Halifax and kept in prison about six weeks, when they were sent home on parole. Thus all he had acquired in his early life was taken from him and he had to commence life anew.
Soon after this he was married to Mary Boardman, the daughter of one of the early settlers of the island. He purchased a farm, the one on which he always lived while in Islesborough. He did not however remain at home. Leaving his wife with competent help to carry on the farm, he again took a vessel and commenced running be- tween the same ports he previously had, Boston and Alexandria. In this he continued for about three years with pretty good success, when he left going to sea and returned to his farm. Agricultural pursuits were very congenial to him, which he made both profitable and pleasant ; improving on the old methods and introducing new ones. His farm became the best in the place. He took an active part in the affairs of the town, was one of the selectmen for a number of years, and one of the fore- inost and inost zealous advocates in whatever he thought would promote the public good. Earnest in looking after the welfare of the schools, that they had comfortable school buildings and competent teachers. Always inter- ested in the success of the young, he aided many in standing in life.
He was one of the earliest promoters of the temperance cause, starting a temperance society and holding meetings. Being a justice of the peace, many came to him to be married. He moved to Belfast in 1833, but always kept up a kindly interest in his early friends and home. There he became interested in shipping, being an owner in many
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HISTORY OF ISLESBOROUGH.
vessels, and making the business a remunerative one. He was a member of Phoenix Lodge of Free Masons, and very earnest in the work. His opportunities for schooling were very limited, but his fondness for reading enabled hini to overcome very much of his early disadvantages. He was a zealous abolitionist, but did not live to see the success of the cause. His death occurred in Belfast, in August, 1861, in the seventy-sixth year of his age.
SHUBAEL WILLIAMS.
Shubael Williams came from Stonington, Connecticut. His father was Isaiah Williams; his mother was a Townley. They were originally from Wales. Mr. Wil- liams had suffered greatly from the English in times past. He was taken from his vessel and put on board a man-of- war, and had to serve three years, leaving a wife and three sınall children that were expecting him home in a few days. At the time of the Revolutionary war a sailor was imissing from one of the inen-of-war at Castine, by the name of Jackson. He became enamoured with a young lady at Islesborough, so he thought he would run the risk of paying her a visit. He started on the ice, and was drowned before he reached the shore. His body was found and buried on Hewes' Point. They accused Mr. Williams of helping him away. He was arrested and sentenced to receive sixty lashes with a cat-of-nine-tails. They gave him forty, and found he would die, and revoked the rest of the sentence. *
He was a man of considerable means when he came, and took up land a year before lie brought his family. When he brought his family he brought a year's provision, leather and cloth enough to last them two or three years.
*See Williamson's History of Maine, vol. II, page 480 ; Bangor His- torical Magazine, vol. IV, page 174.
This was in the year 1780. The enemy took possession of Castine June 12, 1779. Williamson's History of Maine. Dr. Geo. A. Wheeler's History of Castine says June 17th.
OLD SETTLER'S LOG CABIN.
ISLAND INLET, SPRAGUE'S COVE.
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HISTORY OF ISLESBOROUGH.
So they did not suffer, like most of the first settlers. At one time they saw a vessel standing towards the shore. He thought it was a privateer, and hurried the women and children into a boat, and went to Belfast and stayed six weeks at James Miller's, there being but three houses in Belfast at that time, on the west side of the river. When they came back they found everything just as they had left it. He built a log house at first, and afterwards a framed house. In this house was the first window glass ever seen in the town. He took the lumber from the forest, and dug the rocks and rolled them into a crevice in the bank, and burned the lime for the chimneys and plas- tering. The mortar made from this lime lasted good and solid for seventy-five years. His last work was hewing the frame for the meeting-house. He was a man of integrity, honest and upright in all his dealings. His wife was Abigail Turner.
CAPTAIN WILLIAM PENDLETON,
From Stonington, Conn., came here prior to 1769, when his family came. 'He settled on the lower end of the island. Mr. Jeffrey Richardson Brackett now owns the estate. He was the most prominent man on the island for many years. In the Revolutionary war he traded with the British. The Committee of Correspondence, * chosen at Saint George, June 6, 1775, wrote to him July 17 : "To Capt. William Pendleton.
Sir : We can not think proper for you to contrack any traid which we supose is for the king's troops, which you no by the Congress orders is contrary to our obliga- · tions, which we are determined to adhear to.
Per orders of the committee.
J. SHIBLES, Clerk."
History of Warren, page 170.
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HISTORY OF ISLESBOROUGH. .
He was the first selectinan of the town at its organiza- tion, April 6, 1789, and continued to hold office for many years, retaining the respect of his fellow townsmen. He moved to Northport about 1795, and died there August 28, 1820, at the age of ninety-eight years.
ELDER THOMAS AMES.
One of the best known settlers of Islesborough was Thomas Ames, from Marshfield, Mass., where he was born. In a petition to the General Court, in 1787, he and his son Jabez both signed their names Eames. About 1784 he settled on the south-west side of the island, at what is now known as Gilkey's Harbor. Samuel Turner was a prior settler, and July 13, 1784, he quitclaimed to Thomas Ames, for four hundred and twenty dollars (Han- cock Reg., vol. 2, page 119), one certain tract or parcel of land, being on Long Island, containing three hundred and fifty acres more or less, being lots Nos. 12, 13 and 14, on a plan taken by Joseph Chadwick from the south end of said island. Subsequently he sold a part of the pur- chase to Joseph Jones, his son-in-law, March 26, 1793, and to his son, Jabez Ames, another part the same day. It is presumed that Mr. Ames quitted the claim of General Knox under the Waldo heirs. August 23, 1815, lie sold his homestead, containing eighty-five acres, more or less, for eight hundred and fifty dollars, to Joseph Woodard (Hancock Reg., vol. 236, folio 114). Woodard was from Hingham, Mass. He moved up the island. He sold the lot to Capt. James Sherman. Woodard was drowned in West Penobscot bay. Years afterward the estate came into the hands of J. P. Farrow. The house built thereon is said to be the oldest now standing on the island. For situation it is unsurpassed on the coast of Maine, and by those qualified to know, it has been said that the view of the bay from this point is not surpassed by any view of
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HISTORY OF ISLESBOROUGH.
the bay of Naples. J. P. Farrow has recently sold this property to the Islesborough Land and Improvement Com- pany, of Philadelphia.
Thomas Ames was moderator of the first town meeting in Islesborough, in 1789. Previous to 1800 he began to preach as an itinerant Baptist preacher. He was ordained minister of the church in Islesborough in 1804, and con- tinued as such until 1809. He was a most worthy and acceptable preacher. He sold his homestead to Joseph Woodard in 1815, and soon after moved on to the main land. He died in Appleton, February 10, 1826. His posterity are numerous and highly respected, many first- class master mariners being among them.
SAMUEL WARREN, (JR.)
Samuel Warren (Jr.) died at the age of eighty-seven, in Islesborough. He was a man of ability and integrity, quiet and peaceful, like most men of his religious opinion, being a Quaker. He was a surveyor, and was employed by the town, laying out their roads, and by the inhabitants to survey their land. He held offices of trust in town, and was looked up to for advice by the old and young, and never betrayed his trust on any occasion. The good qualities of this old-school gentleman descended to his children, who were among the most respected of its towns- men. This family, of five boys, have all made a record and passed away, and his grand-children, now living, can look back to their forefathers with pride. The record of his family will be found among the family records of Isles- borough families.
MRS. CATHERINE SHERMAN,
Daughter of Jabez Ames and widow of Robert Sherman, now living, at ninety-one years of age. She is known as
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HISTORY OF ISLESBOROUGH.
aunt Katy by the whole town, and regarded with homage and respect in the estimation of the old and young. All her intimate acquaintances, companions and partner have passed over to the banks of the dark river. Many is the kind act she has done for her neighbors when in sickness or distress, and she will long be remembered after she has passed away. In the house where she now lives she has lived ninety years, being but one year old when her father built the house. This has always been her home, and where she raised her family. Mrs. Thomas, her daugliter, has the care of this remarkable old lady in her declining years. Her retentive memory is bright and clear, and her faculties are unimpaired. The writer of this is indebted to her for valuable information. Her family record may be found elsewhere.
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