Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1870-10-28

1864, she took last look at the hills of
wardsboro, babe adeu to the house she had
occupied for 81 years, and went, In pretty
good health, to close her days with her
daughter, Mrs. Marshal Newton, in Fay
etteville. For the last two years her mind
had failed perceptibly, but she was able to
read 10 tho last, and converse intclligently
on some topics. A few days before her
death, she remarked: al long to 60, but
am afraid my time has not yet come" She
passed away, as in sleep, Monday even
ing, Aug. odd, 1870. Rev. Mr.. stevens Of
Westminster, who had been acquainted in
tho family, attended tho funeral, and her
remains were deposited beside the dust OF
her husband, ut Wardsboro, who died TWEEN
ty-nine years before, at the age Of II.
Mrs. Tufts had an uncommonly active,
original and discerning mind, very tona-
cious and retentive memory, which she re-
'ained till past her Goth year. She was
pretty well posted in theological questions
anu discussions, and aided efficiently in the
re"uca'ion Of her children. She had that
'a.u judgment and economy in household
ai"irs which makes large family appear
i'sPoo'"p'e on small outlay; her duties
oelng considerably increased by the farm,
inc post-oflice, and large hospitality. She
often spoke of the additional caro- or tho
post-oihce, which was kept at Mr.. Turts's
house over twenty years, and for many
years was the only Office for the towns ot
| Narusboro, Stratton and Somerset. MANY
VINO called for letters would linger at meals
especially when letters containing tidinrs
Of affliction were received, and the paste,
would be called upon for sympathy.
Mrs Tufts had uncommon skill in titlins
garments, and with her needle. 1t was ;
common remark that no woman in town
had done more with her needle than Mrs
Tufts. About three years before her death
at 90 years of age, she cut and made a dres
for herself alone, unDeknown to the family
so as to appear in it and give them sur
| prise. She taught school for sevcral,vear
before her marriage, her first school at l6
for three shillings per week, increasing ill
she received ten shilings, when she re-
| marked that she was ashamed to ask an,
more, as no other teacher received over ,
dollar. 81 have taught one time and another
1900 children she remarked, only yea
ago. At the teachers institute held a few
years since at Fayetteville, she attended til,
exercises with interest through the tIay. anc
introduced herself TO Mr.. Adams, the Sec
rotary, as having taught her first school owe
seventy years ago.
OF the first settled clergymen and thei
wives in Windham county, Mrs. Tufts wa
m loo
seemed for a long time to connect the tw,
past generations with the present.
Mr.. Tufts had been settled in Wardsbor,
twelve years before his marriage i'm 1907
Clergymen who were young then. hav,
grown old and died thirty years ago. Ii
that year, 1907, when Mrs. Tufts came t,
Wardsboro, Rev. Mr.. Field was ordaine,
in Westminster West, and Mr.. Andrews il
Putney; Mr.. Wood at Halifax one year be
fore, Mr. Beckley in Dummerston, and Mr.
Hitchcock in Dover, one year after. Itwa,
seven years before Mr.. Burge preached il
West Brattleboro, and nine years before the
church in the east village was. organized
under DR.. Wells, and nine before Mr.
Spaulding preached in Jamaica, and Mr.
Whltcomb in Townshend. Mr.. Hall was
preaching in Grafton, Mr. Tobey in Will
mington, Mr.. Whitney in Rockingham
Mr.. Lawton in Grafton, Mr.. Sage in West.
minister East DR.. Lyman in Marlboro. and
Parson Taylor in Newiane. All these and
their successors for many years Mrs. Tufts
knew. and would speak Of their various
traits and pecuiarities with discrimination
and interest till near her death