Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-04-18

A good man has ended his earthly life and
gone to his reward in heaven. Levi Foyc Of
this city, died on Saturday morning at two
o'clock at the age of seventy one years.
Mr.. Foyc was born in Nassalboro in this
county, on the Goth Of April, 100. John
Foye, his father, was an Industrious farmer
and came to Vassalboro' from the vicinity of
Boston. Although colored man, he was
born a freeman. Undoubtedly his ancestors
were slaves. When boy of seven years.
Levi and his sister of nearly the same age,
were taken by Gershom North of this city. in
whose family they found good home for
many years. Mr.. Foye loved to speak of the
kind-hearted Mrs North, and Of the pleasant
hours spent at this adopted home of his child
hood. TWAS here that his manly character was
formed and those principles OF honesty and
integrity inculcated that ever shone so bright
" through his dark exterior. In the war of
1872, while engaged in coastng. he fen into
the hands of British priyateer and was taken
to Nova Scotia, but was soon liberated. Aftr
leaving the good home he had found at Mr..
North's, he lived for some time at South Gar
diner and engaged somewhat in tAc coastlng
business. At the age of twenty he came To
Augusta and worked in the livery stable of
Mr.. Barstow About this time Ae was mar
ried to his first wife Bctscy Minot, in Boston.
Forty years ago he established himself per
manenty in business in this city, where he
has since resided. His first enterprise of
keeping an eating house was commenced in a
little wooden building owned by Rcuel VIII
liams, standing near the wharf, just east of
the brick building which he afterwards occu-
pied and in front of which his familiar lantern
sign could be seen day and evening for many
years. Here Mr.. Foye lived in peace and
happiness with his little family, keeping n first
class eating saloon until the breaking out of
the rebellion. The soldiers were here in large
numbers and among them were some rough
fellows whose prejudice against person who
happened to have black face was stronger
than their good sense. His store was fire.
quently filled with these, and himself and
family became subject to many insults. He
gave up the business and retired to little
place ne Hdu prev HulthaASu' ""
miles out of the city. About four years from
this time, and after the great fire, he returned
to the city and resumed his old business, pur
chasing the stand on Water street. which he
occupied up TO the time of his death. His first
wife, by whom he had no children, died in
1888 In 1880 he married his second wife
Durinda Moody of Litchfeld, who is now
fifty-seven years of age. He has four chill
tlren living. Mr.. Foyc has been unwell for
two or three years. He was afflicted with
u complication of diseases, and these added to
his old age. have prepared the minds of hi,
family for his departure at any time. Dir.
Foye was one of the corner trees that marked
the progress of our city in population and in
wealth. He filled a humble place in life, but
he filled it well, and will be missed from
among us. iIcwas an honest man. His skin
was of a dark color, but hs heart was white
Without making any outward profession, his
life yielded the rich fruits of love to God and
man, and no individual, black or white, may
ask better record.