Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1858-06-23
Brady township.
Death of a Revolutionary Heroine.
Your ob't. serv'G
T. JEFFERSON BoyrR,

Death of a Revolutionary Heroine.
We have read the Following from the
Honesdae Democrat, published in Wayne
county, Pennsylvania, with the most live
ly interest and we give it to our readers
entire:
In February last we chronicled the
death of Mr.. Michael Grennell, OF Clinton
township, atthe advanced age OF enc hun
dred and six years. To day We have to
record the dccease Of Mrs Sarah S. Benja-
min, ia mount Pleasant township, OF the
20th ultimo, at the still Gr' atcr longevity
or one hundred and fourteen yesrs, five
months aud three days.
Her maiden name was Sarah Matthews,
and she was born in Goshen, Orange coun-
tv New York on the 18th Of November,
l743. She was thrice married. Her lrst
husband was Mr. William Reed. He ser
we'd in the Revolutionary army in the ear
" part Of the struggle, and died OF a
wound received in Virginia. Her second
husband was Mr. Aaron Osburn, Of Co
shen, New York. iIe also was in the ar
nv of the Revolution, but survived the
war. Her last husband was Mr.. John Ben
iamin, with whom she settled in Mount
Pleasant in 1872. He died four years at-
terwards. She had five children, the
Youngest OF whom is seventy years old.
She has left four generations Of descend
ants. From her youth until past forty
wears Of age she was in the midst OF the
rough and stirring scenes Of border war
fare or Of the revolutionary struggle. Her
temperament was such that slie could not
be an idle spectator oi events. She enter
ed very deeply in.o all these vicissitudes.
Up TO the latest period Of her life she
distinctly recollected the family of Mr..
Broadhead, whose sons, in H55, boldly
resisted q body Of 200 Indians, making o
tort Of their house. She was in the vicini-
ty of Minisink, when Brant, the indian
chief. led party of Indians and tories
through that settlement, sC2lping the m
habitants and burning the houses. After
the second marriage she ac -ompanied her
husband in the army. During marches
she made herself useful in preparing food,
and when in quarters engaged IN sewing
for the officers and men. She was, how
ever, ready for any service which Circun-
stances seemed to require. When the ar
my was engaged in embarking some hea-
w ordnace at Kingsbridge, on the Hud-
son, ostensibly TO attack New Nork, then
in the hands of the enemy, 1t was neces-
sary TO do it in the night, and to place
sentries around, lest they should be OBJ
served or taken by surprise. Her husband
! having been placed as a sentinel, she took
his station, with oyercoat and gun, that
he might help to load the heavy artillery.
- ,.,,,..l
the outposts, and detecting something un-
usual in heI appearance, asked Who
placed you here % She promptly replied
in her characteristic way Them who hao
right to, sir" he, apparently pleased
with her independent and lnanly spirit
passed on. She accompanied tie army
with her husband, to the-Ssath. and wa:
present at the siege of yorktown and the
surrender Of Cornwallis. During the bat
tie she was busy in carrying water to tht
thirsty, and relieving the wants Of the sf
ferinL. When passing whers the bullets
4 Of the enemy were. flying, she met Wash
irgton, who said Souns woman are .ol
not afraid Of the bullets 2" Size pleasant
ly answered. The bullets viii never cheat
the g,dlows."
gollt lbctGsStQ tAtidol tilfl ~
even in her extreme age, and would re
late the events OF her early days with al
the vivacity Of youth. Un almost to the
;. period of her death she exercised herself
in carding and spinning. The fineness and
uniformity Of her yarn was wonder and
an admiration. She visited her friends on
foot, making long walks, and when she
used a carriage, disdained to be helped {,
enter it. Two OF three years ago she re
marked that she had never been sick bu
once. She then sent for physician, wh,
left her some medicines. After he hat
gone, she not hziuHt the smell of it, "threv
the dirty stuff in tie FIRE, an1 then ha,
to pay for it." The simplicity of her iii,
was peculiar. For some years past sac ha
ibeen regarded as a sort OF curiosity on &C
count Of her great age and vivid recolleC
ton Of events long past. Many visitor
. called upon her, and were always receive,
with cheerfumess, and went away surpr
sed and delighted with her low Of genia
humor, combined with rare physical act
] witty. She was indeed, link connectin
D the present age with ages past and gone
, For a long period she was ready and cheei
fully waiting to depart, and her end wa
calm and peaceful