Jenks's Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland [Me.]) 1799-1802, 1800-02-17
BIoGRAPHIcAz SKE4cH.


Georgetown, (Potowm. Mrs. Elisabeth Tboma5,
at the very great age OF LOT years.
She was a woman of maiculine lize and
form, poGeded of an excellent contribution, a.
mazing llreng,h of body, and for.itude of mind.
She was an indu0rious and ufeful member of
fociety, an a9eetonate relative, and kind friend
and neighbor. About ieven or eight years ago
1he was deprived of the ule of her fight, and
for feveral years before her death was confined
to her bed. Yet fhc bore her fufferings with
great Resignation and slough her death was
expected fhe did not die unamented by her
friends and numerous offspring. She had By
her two hulbands 1.-THE laa of whom ihe outlived
upwards Of 40 years) John Co1et and Hugh
Thomas, ~ children, and has had AZ grand
children and IS great grand.ehildren--in all
ITO.
Her parents were of the name of Edwards,
who came from Wales about the year Ioo1.-
They landed near the fpot where Philadelphia
now Rands. When Che was little more than a
year old, on her padage, fhe fell Gek, and
coffin was got ready to put her in, but contrary
to human expectation fhe recovered. Her mem
DRY was very retentive, particularly Of circum
Rances that had happened in her youth. She
remembered ehinquomines, chelnut, &c. where
Philadelphia now lfands
The following are initances of her Rrength.
One day as ihe was riding over bridge near
Snowdsr's iron works, in Ana-Arundel com.
~, fhe was met by large bull, which was pur-
fued by party of men ihe fsw that it was
hardly pollible to get pat the bull without being
uu(hed over the bridge, which was open at both
Gdes: ihc intanlly jumped from her horie.
caught the bull by the horns, and held him till
forne Of the party came up and knocked him
down, On another time, near the fame place,
upon wager being laid between old Mr.. Snow
den and fome other perfon refpetaing her
nYength, fhe food in half bulhel meafure and
lifted three bulhes of wheat from the ground
and put it on horfe II hands high.
Though fhe was really good natured, he had
70 very high fpirit that the leaf appearance
Of injury or infult offered to her or her connect
ions NE would Immediately refent; and lhe has
eften. when ihe has been offended, with one
blow with her fiji Knocked man down. In.
deed, when fhe was in patton few men could
withaand her; and at fach times her very friends
were afraid of her.
There are very few old iettlers between the
Sourcc of Potowmac and Georgetown but what
have fsen or known her. For comfortable
time fhs officiated as midwife. Wherever ihe
went, walking or riding, ihe was eonifantly
knitting Bookings, which pratice fhe continued
for fome time after fhe was blind.
She sfed in her latter days to ride a mare
called Bonny, which lhe had RATED from colt,
and which he always fed hertelf in time the
animal got 70 accuffomed to her that it would
come or go as fhe told it, and feemed to under,
Rand all her difcourfe. Travellers have often
topped to hear her tell Benny to come to GER
tain place till fhe would get on it would &c
and fix herfelf in proper poliure till ihe noun
sed and faid "Now. Benny, we'll CO." Sh'
was 70 much attached to it that even after fix
was blind it was only by ftratagem it was so
from her.
Ii would FIJI volume to give an account o.
fhofs actions of her life which are in grea
degree uncommon to her tex. 1t may witt
truth be faid that few women could be foune
in this or any other civilized country poaeGee
Of 70 much arensth and courage as this extra
erdinarg woman was.
MAxrM.--'rhe whole univerie is your library con